2013 Sleeper SF/SG Niem Stevenson

[Triple B]

The guy has been BALLIN all season for Faith Baptist, he's been their most consistent player and is the leading scorer on the team despite having two other guys that are highly regarded.

Under the radar

On a Bradenton (Fla.) Faith Baptist Christian Academy team loaded

with talent, including two Rivals150 members from the 2013 class in Demetrius Henry and Deshaun Mormon, it can be easy to forget about fellow 2013 prospect Niem Stevenson.

However, after his strong play on Friday, more and more college coaches

are going to be following the 6-foot-5 wing. Despite his team

struggling to take care of the ball in a lopsided loss, Stevenson was

efficient as a scorer, attacking the rim athletically and finishing

several plays through hard contact.

The best part about Stevenson's overall floor game is his athleticism.

At 6-foot-5, the postgrad senior can jump over defenders in the paint,

allowing him to score in different ways such as tip-ins, layups,

backdoor cuts and even alley-oops. Also a solid shooter, Stevenson's

lefty stroke from 3-point range went in more often than not in Friday's

contest.

Stevenson has six offers at the Division I level, and Texas State (which has offered), Bradley and Eastern Illinois were among the schools watching him on Friday. High majors including Clemson, Ole Miss and USF were also in the stands.

 

 

http://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1473117

 

It's in Brandon, though, isn't it?

 

Interesting article, with more local interest lines like Boubacar Moungoro and Alante Fenner in there.

[CoachJoe]

How many scholarships do we have left? I thought we only had one, so that means either Stevenson or Henry. I hear from Henry's people that he does not have to come with a package deal, so not sure who started that rumor. I say we take whomever is the best for for the team. The question with Stevenson, no major schools offered him from his home state, not even Texas that came to watch the team several times and offered Henry. A lot of schools seem to be passing on him, so It just leaves me with some questions. I guess I need to go see him play and see for myself. Either way if Heath says he fits and will help the team, we welcome him. I just don't see how we can sign He and Henry though. It seems it will be one or the other.

[&rew Bull]

If Rudd doesn't leave for the NBA and Noriega takes the redshirt, aren't we full? I think we're still full in the case that the above situation occurs and Josh Heath walks on

[Vega]

How many scholarships do we have left? I thought we only had one, so that means either Stevenson or Henry. I hear from Henry's people that he does not have to come with a package deal, so not sure who started that rumor. I say we take whomever is the best for for the team. The question with Stevenson, no major schools offered him from his home state, not even Texas that came to watch the team several times and offered Henry. A lot of schools seem to be passing on him, so It just leaves me with some questions. I guess I need to go see him play and see for myself. Either way if Heath says he fits and will help the team, we welcome him. I just don't see how we can sign He and Henry though. It seems it will be one or the other.

USF is about to finish a horrible season of basketball which we know Heath will be making changes to the roster. Stan wouldn't bother trying to sign another guard if he intends on having just 1 scholarship. We need another big man if not two, but Henry is such a dynamic and interesting talent that he could play 3 positions, if not 4 because he can face up, dribble, pass, and shot the ball at 6-9/6-10.

As I mentioned earlier Stevenson was rated 13th in the state of Texas, which put him higher then LeDay and Holland. The competition he played against and his slight build was in question. Since transferring to Faith Baptist, Stevenson has just leveled up his game and gotten the exposure against great competition. He's a true 6-5 athletic scoring machine that can either pull up in his man's face or dunk it over somebody like Egbunu. He's also a tough competitor that would get in the face and challenge Hawkins for the starting 2 guard spot. The guy plays with a chip on his shoulder with attitude and those are the type of players I like to have on my team.

Now there have been mixed reports about Texas offering Stevenson. I remember seeing it somewhere that they offered. However Texas not to long ago got a commitment from another guard shortly after so if they did offer Stevenson( I believe they did) then that offer came off the table. Frankly unlike DeMarcus Holland who Texas dissed then had to offer when they needed a fill in, I couldn't see Stevenson going to Texas. He's just not wired to same way Holland is. Remember Stevenson girlfriend lives in Texas but that didn't stop him from leaving the home state and judging by his twitter account he doesn't make many trips back home even when asked to. He likes the state of Florida. Both he and Henry are friends and would like to play together in college, but they don't have to.

 

[CoachJoe]

No Vega, he was not offered by Texas or any major school in Texas that was confirmed. Demarcus Holland was ranked higher by the state ranking, but some say they are not completely reliable. Demarcus Holland is

A defensive stopper that is why Texas offered. Henry and Stevenson just started playing together this year so, I am sure they don't really care what happens. My question is why no offers from the home state even when Texas came to watch. They offered Henry but not Stevenson. That just concerns me a bit, unless you feel we are below all of the major schools in Texas. It looks like he played AAU, how has he fared against other top notch D1 talent any reports. I think I am going to take a trip to eat h them to see what the hesitation seems to be. If we have one scholarship, we have to go with a big, if we have two, we need a big and a legitimate scorer.

[bullballer]

Please don't eat them.  LOL

[CoachJoe]

Lol smart phones, should have been see them.

[CoachJoe]

If the kid is legitimate we should sign him, I just had that question. We need to improve and improve fast.

[Vega]

No Vega, he was not offered by Texas or any major school in Texas that was confirmed. Demarcus Holland was ranked higher by the state ranking, but some say they are not completely reliable. Demarcus Holland is

A defensive stopper that is why Texas offered. Henry and Stevenson just started playing together this year so, I am sure they don't really care what happens. My question is why no offers from the home state even when Texas came to watch. They offered Henry but not Stevenson. That just concerns me a bit, unless you feel we are below all of the major schools in Texas. It looks like he played AAU, how has he fared against other top notch D1 talent any reports. I think I am going to take a trip to eat h them to see what the hesitation seems to be. If we have one scholarship, we have to go with a big, if we have two, we need a big and a legitimate scorer.

Yes all rankings are different once the cream of the crop is out the way.

 

Niem Stevenson #23. DeMarcus Holland #34, Zach LeDay #42

http://rivals.yahoo.com/texashoops/football/recruiting/rankings/rank-2594

Metroplex Area Rankings

Stevenson #6, LeDay 18#, Holland #19

http://www.metroplexhoops.com/fullrankings.htm

Holland was a reach for Texas but they had no choice because they lost guard J'Covan Brown to the NBA and guard Sterling Gibbs was going to transfer(Seton Hall). They wanted highly rated Devonta Polland but they were far from a lock to get him(signed with Alabama), and desperately had to have another guard. Despite Holland's poor shooting ability, he's a good defensive player like you said and stop gap until Texas could do better.

By all reports Stevenson played well in his opportunities with AAU. I believe he played with the Mustangs like Holland and LeDay. He has been nothing short of sensational since coming to Florida and playing for First Baptist, and they have played some good competition.

Every article I read from the people they live in Texas and follow HS basketball there, say Stevenson main problem was playing at Ranchview and his handlers that believed only Duke, Kansas, UNC, UK, and likes for worthy of having Niem Stevenson on there team. If that's the case then reality has set in as Miami and USF are the best that's out there right now. That would change if he drags out his recruiting.

 

 

Texas Sleeper: With the talent in Texas, one name that seems to get overlooked is Niem Stevenson.

His play this year has elevated him to the top guard prospect in Texas.

Look for the Sooners to begin to follow this 6’3 high riser who’s

averaging 21pts per game this year.

http://ouhoops.com/?p=5393

 

[CoachJoe]

Vega, I spoke to people in Texas. Some of the things you quote are sketchy.If the kid is legitimate I say we sign him. It just concerns me that Texas passed over him again and opted for another guard. Oklahoma as you stated never offered. I don't think his handlers were dumb enough to think those teams would come calling he is not nationally ranked and only had offers from Texas St, Central Arkansas, and North Texas according to Rivals. I am getting mixed reviews, but if the kid is legitimate I say we go for it, but we need to improve fast, we need guarantees no more hit or misses!