Blue White Illustrated

MEN'S BASKETBALL ith the early signing period ap- proaching, coach Patrick Cham- bers and his sta5 have built on the recruiting success they enjoyed over the summer. On Sept. 18, Penn State received its fourth verbal commitment for the Class of 2016, as Philadelphia forward Lamar Stevens announced that he plans to sign with the Nittany Lions. A standout player at Roman Catholic, Stevens is rated by Rivals.com as a four-star prospect and the No. 81 re- cruit nationally in the Class of 2016. "Next year I'll be at Penn State University," said Stevens, 4ghting tears, at his an- nouncement ceremony at Roman Catholic. Listed at 6-foot-6, 215 pounds, Stevens chose the Lions a7er giving serious con- sideration to Indiana. He also received o5ers from Marquette, Maryland, Pitt, SMU, Temple and Villanova, among others. Eric Bossi, national recruiting analyst for Rivals.com, called Stevens "another big-time get for Penn State out of Philadel- phia." "He's a physical, aggressive and tough basketball player who doesn't take plays o5," Bossi said. "He rebounds well, he's very good around the rim, excels in tran- sition and has worked hard to become a threat from the perimeter. "I think he's a combo forward type who can play as a big three man or as a slightly undersized but tough four man. I think in many ways he has a lot of similar strengths and weaknesses as a player Big Ten fans know well in Indiana's Troy Williams." Stevens told Rivals.com this past summer that he was focusing on his jump shot from midrange and beyond. He hopes to showcase his development during the up- coming high school season. What isn't in development, though, is Stevens' motor. He has built a solid reputation as a tough player who won't back down no matter how strong the competition. When asked by Rivals to describe his strengths, Stevens said, "I'm just focused on being the best defender, the best re- bounder, the best 4nisher at the rim that I can be, and just being an active player and for my teammates being a leader. So that's de4nitely part of my game and one of the main points in my game, just being re- lentless, taking on anybody and any task." Stevens committed to the Lions just one week a7er he took an o6cial visit to Uni- versity Park. He had been on campus many times prior to that trip. His announcement came less than two months a7er another big commitment for Penn State. In early August, the Nittany Lions landed one of Stevens' teammates at Roman Catholic, point guard Tony Carr, who is rated by Rivals as the 48th-best player in the country. A third Roman Catholic player, Nazeer Bostick, committed to the Lions prior to Carr's announcement, and Chambers is also set to welcome three-star forward Joe Hampton of Oak Hill Academy in Virginia. Bossi said those commitments will put Penn State in a great position moving for- ward. "Adding Stevens to what was already a very good class is a big deal," he said. "Tony Carr has the tools to be a Big Ten star someday, Bostick is tough and wiling to do the dirty work, and Stevens is versatile. Joe Hampton has tools on the o5ensive end and just needs to get his mojo going again." Penn State has one more scholarship available for the Class of 2016. ■ Stevens is fourth to join Lions' class | W

• Cover