Lamar Stevens Signs His First NBA Contract
The NBA Draft came and went as 60 picks were announced and none of them were former Penn State star Lamar Stevens. Although leading up to the draft there was some speculation that Stevens could be a second round pick, that would not transpire.
Stevens would be the fourth best remaining small forward according to ESPN after the draft concluded, but it would take him only a couple of minutes after the draft for his phone to ring.
The Cleveland Cavaliers signed Stevens to a two-way contract and was first reported by Shams Charania of the Athletic. This means Stevens will likely split time between the Cavaliers and their G-League team, the Canton Charge this upcoming NBA season. Stevens can spend up to 45 days on the Cavaliers roster due to the rules of a two-way contract.
With the Cavaliers being one of the worst teams in the NBA last season and needing depth at the wing positions, we could see Stevens play in an NBA game sooner rather than later.
Stevens finished his career as a Nittany Lion second all time in points scored behind Talor Battle and would’ve most likely finished first had it not been for the pandemic which shut down the Big Ten and NCAA tournament.
He averaged 16.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game during his four year career at Penn State, with a majority of that time being as the team's leading option. During his final two years once current NBA player Tony Carr left, Stevens averaged 18.8 points per game.
Stevens had been through a lot with the Nittany Lions as he was an integral part of the Penn State team that won its first NIT Championship back in 2018 as he scored 28 points in the game.
He was also the leader of last year's Penn State squad which if it had not been for the pandemic would have certainly made the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2011 which would have been the teams greatest accomplishment in the Pat Chambers era.
It is currently unclear on whether Stevens will start the new season in the G-League or on the Cavaliers roster.
Logan Bourandas is a sophomore majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him email lxb5412@psu.edu.
