Lance Stephenson has officially joined the pantheon of great basketball players to come out of Abraham Lincoln High School.
Though already considered one of the Coney Island school’s top products, Stephenson joined Sebastian Telfair as one of only two Railsplitters stars to have their jersey retired during a ceremony at the annual basketball Alumni Games on Saturday night. Two banners were unveiled in the gym rafters next to Telfair’s, one commemorating Stephenson passing him as New York State’s all-time leading scorer with 2,946 points and the other with his No. 1 jersey.
The 6-foot-5, 228-pound Stephenson, now playing with the Indiana Pacers in the pros, enjoyed the moment and reflected on how he got there.
“It’s a blessing,” he said. “I worked hard. If it weren’t for my teammates I wouldn’t be getting my jersey retired. I just want to have fun and enjoy this night.”
He wanted to witness it all in person and wouldn’t have it any other way. The school, which had been trying to set up a ceremony for more than a year, obliged when Stephenson asked for it to be pushed back with the Pacers still alive in this year’s playoffs. His team was eliminated in the Eastern Conference Finals at the hands of the Miami Heat.
“I wanted to actually show up for this,” said Stephenson, who did not address the crowd.
He couldn’t help but get nostalgic walking into his old home, even though he returns as often as he can.
“It brings back old memories,” Stephenson said.
The Coney Island phenom has plenty of fond memories to look back on. During his tenure as Lincoln’s star, following guys like Telfair and Stephon Marbury, the program reached new heights. The Railsplitters won a record four straight Public School Athletic League Class AA titles and a State Federation crown in 2008. Former teammate Vincent Council remembers what a fierce competitor Stephenson was.
“Just watching him take over games, just the will to win, just everything,” Council recalled. “Everyone is happy for him.”
That’s because Stephenson, who spent one year at the University of Cincinnati, finally got a chance to shine in his third season in the NBA. The second-round draft pick by the Pacers was thrust into a starting role after star Danny Granger was sidelined indefinitely with a knee injury.
He went on to start in 78 games and averaged 8.8 points and 3.9 assists. Stephenson dropped in 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the Pacers series, clinching Game 6 win over the Knicks in the second round. It was something Lincoln coach Dwayne “Tiny” Morton always believed he was capable of if given the chance.
“They did a good job putting him in the right spot to give him confidence, learning to fight through mistakes,” he said.
Stephenson’s contract is up after next season and he was asked if he would consider returning to Brooklyn to play with the Nets. He said he isn’t concerned with free agency right now, just getting ready to continue his strong play and help the Pacers make another run for a title.
“I finally got my opportunity to show what I can be on the floor,” Stephenson said. “I’m happy I got that chance.”
Reach reporter Joseph Staszewski at jstaszewski@cnglocal.com. Follow him on twitter @cng_staszewski.
