Will he go to a power 6 team or will he go to a mid major or perhaps even a D-2? He could be a great addition to a Mid, they often don't much size and crank out guards like the Kid from Fullerton.
UCLA is the favorite as they already have contacted his high school coach and were in his top four originally before his chose North Carolina. It is the right move for Stepheson as he would not have got much playing time this year behind those other post players. Whatever school he picks, best of luck.
first, best of luck to Alex, I hope wherever the kid lands, he puts himself in a solid situation, second, if he wants " tradition " and a chance for more " national " exposure, he should head to one of the four (it's four I think) California teams in the Pac-10 (that is if he's looking to really stay close to home, I think he's from the LA area, correct ?) but that's not to say that going to say....Arizona, Washington St., etc would be a bad choice either, he could still stay closer to home than he was in Chapel Hill (he will be missed by me, and probably other UNC fans) but I think if he wants to see more " immediate " playing time as a possible starter (not saying he couldn't start for a Pac-10 team, I'm sure he could) I don't think going to say a San Diego (after this past years run), San Diego St., Gonzaga, etc, would be a bad decision because he'd still get a chance to stay closer to home if he chose an MWC, WAC, Big Sky, WCC, school. either way, it sucks he left UNC, but the situation at home is obviously just as, if not more important to Alex, than his continued career wherever he may go. once again, best of luck Alex.
Would one of you loyal Heels fans please educate me about this guy? Based on what I've been reading above, it sounds like everybody really likes him. I just don't know anything about him.
Is he more likely to look for a starting position which may rule out UCLA? Is he a good character guy which may rule out USC (nothing personal, Trojans fans)?
I'm just trying to guess where he might be the best fit, especially if he wants to stay as close to his family as possible.
First let me say I didn't get a chance to see much of him play, but from what I got to see, he always tried to help his team. To me I saw him as an effort player with the potential to turn into more. Honestly I'd like to read from some Heel fans living in Carolina, or attending, that had the chance to watch him tell us both about his skill set.
CincinnatiBruin's second question can be answered by only going to Rivals.com and any site that has updated rosters. I'm pretty sure I heard through some grapevine that both Taj Gibson and Devon Jefferson have returned to USC. UCLA has an incoming 4 star Fr. at Alex's pos. with another on the way in 09'. So if he does intend to start, and if he does choose one of those two, he'd really have to develop, and bust a** to get into the starting rotation. Not saying that he can't/couldn't, I didn't get many chances to see him, so I'm really not sure what his ceiling is as far as potential is concerned (though I did state earlier, and still believe, he, like all players, have the potential to up his game) so I really can't rule him out as a starter, even for either of those two schools.
As far as where he could be the best fit, I think that's anyone's guess. I think only Alex knows the situation he wants to be in, and we're all here to basically guess, assume, and predict.
If he's looking to stay close to home, there are a lot of schools in the state of California, many having D-1 men's basketball teams, but he could just as well go to a school in say the state of Arizona, Oregon, Washington, heck, maybe even Nevada, Utah, and New Mexico can be thrown in the mix as well, and still be able to stay within a reasonable distance to home (I think his hometown is LA ? not sure)
I probably didn't really answer any of CincinnatiBruin's questions, but I tried.
If he goes to a PAC 10 school it will probably be Cal or USC. Arizona has a few scholarships to offer and he would be a nice addition, but I don't know if he'd play much more behind Hill and Withey. He'd definitely be in the rotation, but I don't think he would start. UCLA is already going to have Aboya, Keefe, Gordon and Morgan. Moute could also be coming back. I'm not sure how much playing time there would be for him there, either.
Seems like UCLA is the leader, if they want him. Even with Anderson and Hardin gone Cal still has plenty of big guys. I think he could be a 15 point 10 reb guy, but right now he is more of a defensive specialist. If UCLA picks him up it seems that both UCLA and Duke are getting a lot of those off-season rebounds. I know its probably just coincidence, but it is funny how Trent Johnson gave two of the coaches I can't stand the most (K and Howland) exactly what they were looking for.
It sounds like some people are forgetting he'll have to sit out for a year
Alex could be a starter
he's a character guy, plays with a lot of heart, but I never saw a post move from him, just a strong guy, he can move you out of his way on the block, put in work on the offensive glass, a good compliment to a number one big man, but not a go-to guy
he could fit anywhere with and established big man
