Basketball Scouting Report: Lamar Stevens

Story posted December 7, 2015 in CommRadio, Sports by Kyle Gaynor

Back in September, Penn State basketball head coach Pat Chambers landed another four-star recruit for the 2016 recruiting class in Lamar Stevens. Stevens is listed as a 6’6”, 215-pound small forward from Jenkintown, Pa. 

While playing over the summer for Team Final, a top-rated travel basketball program, he thrived in the paint with his explosiveness to the basket, forcing defenders to foul him. According to Scout.com, in 22 games, he recorded 158 foul shots. He is known for using his thick frame to draw contact, finishing inside with great footwork. Stevens is also known as one of the better rebounders, frequently creating second chance points for his offense.

Even though Stevens is considered a small forward, he acts as more of a stretch four, playing both small and power forward. While this may sound good on paper, he is undersized at the power forward position. One of the criticisms he has received comes from poor shooting, where he only shot 44 percent from the field and only attempted three shots outside the perimeter, via Scout.com. Reports also say he needs to improve upon his quickness and strength. 

Stevens attends Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia, where he plays with point guard Tony Carr and small forward Nazeer Bostick, who have also committed to play for Penn State in 2016.

According to ESPN, Penn State currently ranks outside of the top 10, sitting at No. 11 in basketball recruiting for the 2016 class. Stevens and Carr are joined by four-star recruit Joe Hampton as well as Bostick, who is a three-star talent. Penn State ranks No. 2 in the Big Ten for the 2016 recruiting class.

Stevens is also the fourth best small forward in the state of Pennsylvania and is listed as one of ESPN’s top 100 players for the 2016 class.

Along with Penn State, Stevens had received offers from top basketball programs such as Villanova, Indiana and Maryland but ultimately chose Penn State so he could create his own path. 

With all of the moves that Chambers and his recruiting staff have made, this should be an interesting development over the next few years.

 

Kyle Gaynor is a sophomore majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email kpg5136@psu.edu.