How a Penn State star nearly broke the school's scoring record
In short: Lamar Stevens was on the verge of making basketball history at Penn State. Despite being just seven points shy of the all-time scoring record, the 2020 postseason cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic denied him the chance to secure his place in the record books forever.
Lamar Stevens, born July 9, 1997, emerged as a dominant force during his collegiate career with the Penn State Nittany Lions. His ascent was marked by consistent excellence, from being named a First Team All-Freshman in the Big Ten to becoming the school's second all-time leading scorer. By the end of his college tenure, he had amassed 2,207 points, leaving him remarkably close to the record held by Talor Battle. During his freshman year, he started every single game for the Nittany Lions. He also earned multiple Freshman of the Week honours alongside teammate Tony Carr.
His journey was not without significant interruptions. While his statistical trajectory suggested he might eclipse the scoring record, the 2020 Big Ten and NCAA Tournaments were cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, preventing him from attempting to break the milestone. Despite this, his impact was undeniable; he was a multi-time All-Big Ten selection and earned the title of Most Outstanding Player of the NIT during his sophomore season. As a sophomore, he was named the Most Outstanding Player of the NIT. Throughout that winning season, he also put up 15.5 points and 5.9 rebounds on average per game.
Following his collegiate success, Stevens transitioned to the professional ranks, navigating the complexities of the NBA and international leagues. He signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers in late 2020 and made his NBA debut against the Philadelphia 76ers on December 28, 2020. His career has since taken him through various organizations, including the San Antonio Spurs, Boston Celtics, and Memphis Grizzlies, eventually leading him to international competition with Paris Basketball and Partizan in the EuroLeague. He initially entered the professional scene after signing a two-way contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Lamar Stevens
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