Stephenson declaring for draft

[MarquetteDano]

Looks like Lance Stephenson is gone either way.  I really thought that Cincy had a chance to be pretty good next year.  This news really changes that....

http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/2010/04/breaking-lance-stephenson-to-nba/

[Dawson Rental]

The only time Stephenson has surprised me was from the end of the season until now when he hadn't declared for the draft.  There is no way that this kid can find it within himself to blame himself if he didn't have as good a year as people thought he would.  Hey, I'm Lance Stephenson, the NBA knows about me, I'm still going lottery.

[damuts222]

 I don't mean this in a negative way..but Lance Stephenson was going to go pro no matter what, I just don't think he is one of those kids that is cut out for school.

[Dawson Rental]

Exact-a-mundo!

[PJDunn]

I am trying to remember when Cincy had even one player who was "cut out for school".  Maybe Oscar Robertson...

[Hards Alumni]

bahahhahaha

[flash]

This guy wasn't even that good at Cincy, what makes him think he will even get drafted? 12 pts 5 rebs a game? not very impressive

[dwaderoy2004]

he'll be a first round pick.  i guarantee it.  you can't stop him off the dribble, which is pure gold in the nba.  His problem was he fell in love with the jump shot too often.  physically, he is ready for the league as well.

[77ncaachamps]

DONTONIO WINGFIELD, JR.!!!

[JWags85]

Clearly Stephenson was "Born Ready"...for the D-League.

[Markusquette]

A great talent with lots of potential.  I just hope it wasn't too soon.  Good luck to Lance.

[Doctor V]

I might be in the minority here, but this is a good move for this kid. I know you cant compare DJames to him because Stephenson in a much bigger NBA prospect, but the last thing this kid needs is to stick around college and potentially see his stock drop further...

If I recall correctly, had Dominic left after his freshman year, many people were predicting he would be a first round draft pick or at worst a second round pick. Whether he made a poor decision in staying is hard to say because he had a great career and matured a ton as a human im sure, but I would guess that looking back he would have made the jump.

This is the age old argument, but when it comes to a persons future and life, I think it is difficult and morally wrong to tell a kid he cannon pursue his NBA dream and his and his familys future happiness. I do not buy the argument that these guys grow a tremendous amount from 1 or 2 years of collegiate "education". A large amount of them barely go to class or even pay attention- their sole goal is that next step

The one good thing with the current NBA rule is that the teams get to see these players at a higher level before jumping in and drafting straight outta high school. The NBA organizations get a better assessment at the talent levels

[chapman]

He withdrew from school already?!  Can the NBA just repeal the pointless rule and let idiots like this go right from high school?  Or maybe the NCAA can do more to penalize teams that take on losers like this.  If it's that tough to complete that last month and a half of classes they don't belong playing college basketball at all.

[MarquetteDano]

The one good thing with the current NBA rule is that the teams get to see these players at a higher level before jumping in and drafting straight outta high school. The NBA organizations get a better assessment at the talent levels

I agree this has been good for the NBA.  However, I think it has been bad for the NCAA.  OJ Mayo, Derrick Rose... there will be others.  These "one and dones" don't really give a crap about their school and what violations may come because they don't care about their scholarship... they know they are going to the league.