City of Basketball Love

Marley Paul (@MarleyPaul22)
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BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Roman Catholic star Lamar Stevens threw down numerous thunderous dunks last month in a decisive win in the state championship over Allderdice. Now, the 6-foot-6 wing will take his talents up I-95 to New York City with an opportunity to add more mesmerizing finishes to his already impressive highlight reel.

While the EYBL Session 1 will take place in the County of Kings from April 15-17, Rob Brown, director of Stevens’ Team Final AAU squad, informed the four-star wing that he will be suit up on a slightly bigger stage.

Stevens was named to the Jordan Brand Classic Regional Game, where he’ll have the chance to run the floor and compete with a handful of the top prospects in the tri-state area.

Given his tenacity attacking the basket, somewhat like a freight train at times, an all-star showcase of up-and-down basketball is a perfect match for Stevens’ game. And he’s looking forward to reaping the benefits of his continuous development as he takes the next step in his career.

“It meant a lot to me,” Stevens told CoBL. “It just shows my hard work is paying off, and it's just another opportunity for me to improve and go against some of the top players in the region."

After transferring from Haverford to join eventual Penn State signees Tony Carr and Nazeer Bostick, Stevens added 15 points per game through the Cahillites' title run and was named to the all-state first team last Saturday. Stevens is regarded as the second best player in Pennsylvania, behind his close friend Carr, according to 247Sports.

Villanova will be well represented at the Jordan Brand Classic with a pair of big men slated to take the court. Hershey native Dylan Painter will join Stevens in the regional game on Team East as the only Pennsylvania representatives on the roster. Meanwhile, five-star power forward Omari Spellman will play in the national game.

The 2016 Jordan Brand Classic will take place Friday, April 15th at the Barclays Center. Attendance at the yearly high school showcase includes Michael Jordan himself, along with New York Knicks all-star and JBC alumnus Carmelo Anthony.

The regional game is scheduled for a 5:30 p.m. tip off, preceding the boys All-American contest at 8 p.m.  

"I just want to show off my skills," Stevens said of his goals at the showcase, "know that I'm one of the best players in the country, and just be a sponge and learn and absorb all that I can."