By Joe Henricksen
The Class of 2013, which is highlighted by sophomore superstar Jabari Parker of Simeon, is booming with emerging talent. The City/Suburban Hoops Report began raving about St. Charles East’s Kendall Stephens earlier this fall as one of the top talents in the class. Now Stephens has his first high-major scholarship offer.
Northwestern and coach Bill Carmody extended the offer to the 6-3 combo guard. Stephens, the son of former Evanston and Purdue star Everette Stephens, has been gaining a ton of interest from high-major college programs. Northwestern is the first of those high-major programs to offer. Northwestern, Illinois, Purdue, Michigan, Butler and DePaul were among the many schools that came in this fall to check in on Stephens.
Stephens averaged a modest 6.3 and 2.1 rebounds a game as a freshman. However, major strides were made since the conclusion of his freshman season. He poured in 25 points in a Tuesday night loss to Proviso East.
St. Charles East and Stephens, who will play this offseason with the Illinois Wolves on the club circuit, face St. Joseph Wednesday night at 8 p.m. and then plays Schaumburg Friday at 8 p.m.
For more on Kendall Stephens, see the Hoops Report’s Sept. 13 blog:
http://blogs.suntimes.com/hoopsreport/2010/09/another_big_thing_in_2013.html
