Most people know Lance Stephenson by his more recognizable nickname, “Born Ready,” which he got from Bobito at the Elite 24 Game in 2007, during which he dropped 38 points. But Jalen Rose, who stubbornly insists on blessing players with his own proprietary nicknames (regardless of whether any of them stick, which most of them haven’t) has always referred to Stephenson as “The 8th Grader.”
That particular nickname has its origins in the video above, when a 14-year-old Stephenson challenged a 17-year-old O. J. Mayo, who was at the time considered the top high school player in the country, at the ABCD Camp. It’s just that type of swagger and fearlessness that transformed him into one of the NBA’s most promising two-way players during his time with the Indiana Pacers.
But after a disappointing season in Charlotte, Stephenson is hoping for a bounce-back year with the Los Angeles Clippers. It won’t be easy, as he’ll likely be competing for playing time off the bench with the likes of Paul Pierce and Jamal Crawford. Talent has never been an issue for Stephenson, but given all his antics over the years, it remains to be seen whether he can stay focused long enough to make a consistent impact in the NBA.
(via scottmcgrady)
