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SoCalHoops Recruiting News

DeShawn Stevenson Update:
Mom Speaks--(Sept. 16, 1999)

We had heard this past weekend that DeShawn Stevenson's mom was very actively involved in his recruting, and after we posted some of the details of his meeting with Fresno State Coach Jerry Tarkanian and assistant John Welch yesterday in which we hinted at the importance of family in his recruiting, his mom's involvement was made even clearer this morning when Andy Katz of the Fresno Bee published a very interesting article about DeShawn's home visit with Tark. Our friend Marty Hartwig from the Fresno area alerted us to this story, and if you are a UCLA fan, it's probably not the best news in the world, and it again confirms that Fresno offered DeShawn a starting spot, at least 35 minutes of playing time per game, and as many shots as he wants to take, something that UCLA probably wouldn't have offered. But then, you never know. . . Lavin is a pretty good recruiter after all. . . But again, it looks like the choices are down to Fresno State, UCLA, and the NBA with a couple of other schools coming in a distant fourth. Here's the portion of the article pertaining to DeShawn's home visit with Fresno:

Home could be sweet home for Stevenson, Bulldogs

By Andy Katz
The Fresno Bee

(Published September 16, 1999)

Fresno State passed a critical test with DeShawn Stevenson's family after its home visit Tuesday. Stevenson's mother, Genice Popps, said Fresno State coach Jerry Tarkanian and assistant John Welch were direct in their assessment of what Stevenson can do for the program. And, for Stevenson himself, who is not expected to play more than two years in college.

"We know what the reality is and that is he's going to go to the NBA so the major goal is not to get a degree," Popps said. Popps said she was impressed with the Bulldogs' selling points, namely guaranteeing the 6-foot, 5-inch Washington High shooting guard a starting position in 2000-01. They also told her Stevenson would play 35 minutes a game and likely would take the majority of shots. "They said DeShawn would be the 'Man' " Popps said. "They said what we wanted to hear."

Stevenson and his family are in the midst of home visits the next two weeks, even though he doesn't plan on signing until April. Home visits stop Sept. 26 and resume March 16. The early signing period runs for a week in November. The Bulldogs were the second school to go through the Popps' home.

Kansas coach Roy Williams was there last week. UCLA coach Steve Lavin was there Wednesday, Georgia coach Jim Harrick comes through tonight, and Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun visits Sunday. Missouri coach Quin Snyder arrives Monday, and Kentucky coach Tubby Smith closes out the visits Sept. 26.

Tarkanian made two other home visits during his previous four years at Fresno State - to Chris Jefferies, who attended Washington High, and Kenny Brunner.