mom stevenson No. 2

socalogo.gif (8739 bytes)
SoCalHoops Recruiting News

DeShawn Stevenson Update:
Mom Speaks. . . Again--(Sept. 17, 1999)

Yesterday, Andy Katz of the Fresno Bee published some quotes from DeShawn Stevenson's mother, Genice Popps, who was quoted as saying the following:

"We know what the reality is and that is he[DeShawn]'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."

Well, we're not suggesting that the quote was inaccurate or taken out of context, but today Andy did just a bit of backpedaling, and he gave Mrs. Popps the opportunity to clarify what she evidently had meant to say. Here's what Andy wrote today in the Fresno Bee on this subject:

Stevenson is back in academic game

The Washington High standout's mother, Genice Popps, feels not acquiring a college degree would be foolish.

By Andy Katz
The Fresno Bee

(Published September 17, 1999)

Washington High standout DeShawn Stevenson is planning on earning a college degree, even if he leaves early for the NBA.

That's what Stevenson's mother, Genice Popps, reiterated one day after Fresno State's home visit.

"My goal is for DeShawn to get a degree," Popps said of Stevenson, a consensus top seven player nationally. "To me, that's important. The years playing basketball won't be as important if he has to work. Saying that he doesn't want a degree defeats the purpose of what Fresno State, Kansas and UCLA are saying. We want academic information about the college."

Popps said Stevenson most likely would not complete his degree in four years if the basketball standout were to leave for the NBA. She said Stevenson would plan on attending summer school if he left early.

"He wants to go to college," Popps said. "He knows he's not ready to go to the NBA, and mentally, he knows he's not ready for the NBA."

Popps said she and her husband, Terry Popps, asked Kansas coach Roy Williams if he wants his players to graduate. She said they were told Williams pursues the degree progress of all the players who leave early.

"My brother did that after playing in the Canadian Football League and went back in the offseason and got his degree," Genice Popps said.

Kansas, Popps said, has provided Stevenson a business degree plan for 2004, while UCLA has come up with a list of general education classes for the athlete. Fresno State Jerry Tarkanian, who visited the Popps' home Wednesday, has three players who graduate in December. "Before college coaches come to the visits, I'm telling them the information I'm looking for, and they bring that information," said Popps, who entertained Georgia on Thursday, followed by Connecticut, Missouri and Kentucky next week.

"I want to hear about a degree program. DeShawn wants to look at being an orthodontist or a dentist. I would be a fool not to want him to get a degree. This day and age, a college degree is not enough."

The Bulldogs made Stevenson their top recruit the past year, anointing him the heir apparent to Courtney Alexander. Added incentives: transfers of Chris Jefferies (Washington High and Arkansas), and Shannon Swillis (USC) for next season. The Bulldogs' point guard is Demetrius Porter (Washington High).

We never doubted it for a minute.