Take Flight with D.J. Stephens

D.J. Stephens, Dalenta (duh-lon-tay) Jameral Stephens, is a dynamic appearance as he contests on the gym floor.  Stephens is a forward/guard out of Kileen, Texas and the proud son of Will Stephens and Dorothea Love. Stephens played his prep career at Harker Heights High School...recording 16.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 2.3 blocked shots and 2.1 steals.  He was named to the Texas 12-5A All-District first team.  Prior to his senior year, he was also selected as one of the 20 names to know for 2009 by the 'Killeen Daily Herald'.  During the summer, he played AAU basketball with D-1 Ambassadors.

 In the summer of 2009, Head coach Josh Pastner offered Stephens a scholarship for the University of Memphis' men's basketball team two weeks before class started.  He gratefully accepted the scholarship and declared his major in Sport and Leisure Management.  As an incoming freshman, Stephens competed in 33 of the Tigers 34 contests.  He made three starts averaging 1.8 points and 1.9 rebounds along with six assists, eight blocks and eight steals.  He shot 57.5 percent from the field, 50 percent from the three-point line and 58.3 percent from the charity stripe.   

Moving forth into his sophomore season (2010-11), he played in 32 of the Tigers’ 35 games averaging 3.5 points and 2.3 rebounds…he had 14 assists, 26 blocked shots and 16 steals.  He became the team’s third-leading shot blocker as he shot 64.1 percent from the floor, 50 percent from the three-point arc and 55 percent from the free throw line.

In the 2011-2012 season, Stephens was only able to play in 28 of the Tigers' 35 contests as a result of tendonitis in his knees.  Within those 28 games, he was able to average 2.4 points, 1.8 boards, 21 blocked shots and eight steals...shooting 64.3 percent from the floor and 68.8 percent from the free throw line.

Then of course he had to take his senior year out with a bang!  The 6'5" and 188 lb forward/guard dominated 36 games...averaged 7.6 points and crashing the boards at 6.6 percent.  His defense was incredible as he shut down every opponent with 96 blocks along with 33 steals.  He shot 62.9 percent from the floor and 66.2 percent from the free throw line. 

But if you dont know this superman for anything else...you must know him for his incredible dunking capability.  The young man owns the rim!  It all began his junior year in high school...his teammates inspired him to dunk and after that first time, all he could do was dunk.  "Every time I got the opportunity, I tried to make sure I dunked it, and tried to make sure it was the best dunk anybody ever seen."  He has been labled as one of the five all time dunkers in Memphis program history accumlating a career high of 113 dunks.  He is so brilliant with the ball...you would think he invented the skill. 

In 2011-12 he won the Intersport Dunks of the Year title...nominated for the honor with his invigorating dunk in the first half vs. Xavier on February 4, 2012.  The fans have compared his talent to that of Lebron James and Blake Griffin, but much better.  Stephens states, "I'm loved by a city and I love it back. The light hasn't always been shined on me...for me to continue to work and for these great things to happen to me makes me happy and makes me thank God all in the same because I know without him alot of things that I have done wouldn't have been possible." 

He puts alot of passion in his game and you see it every time he hits the court. 

Stephens has played in a career-high of 93 games, making seven starts...Averaging 113 dunks, 39 rebounds, 21 assists, 55 blocked shots, 32 steals, and a total of 457 points which helped lead the team to three Conference USA Championship rings out of the 4 years he has been in Memphis.  He is a tremendous ambassador and represents Memphis at the very highest level.  He is a very humble, down to earth, and loving guy...he brings nothing but positivity into the atmosphere. 

And who have you ever known in this lifetime to kiss the rim of the goal?  Stephens is dynamic above the rim and the proof is here.

Tune into him live on youtube.  Just enter D.J. Stephens in the search bar and Wala Magic! Stay tune as he has more to prove to the world as he enters into the 2013 NBA draft!  He's not done yet...there is alot more to see! There are two words to describe him, "Humble and Hungry!"



Adonis Thomas

Adonis Michael Thomas is a proud native of Memphis, Tennessee born to Eric Thomas and Sandra Anderson.  Thomas is a graduate of Melrose High School 2007-2011 and was a member of the National Honor Society.  As he was prominent with his schoolwork, he dominated the basketball court as well. As a freshman in 2007-08, Thomas started all 32 games…Earned All-District 16-AAA and All-League honors…Named to the Region 8-AAA All-Tournament Team…A Commercial Appeal Best of the Preps honoree.

In 2008-09 as a sophomore, he appeared in the Region 8-AAA title game and advanced to the Tennessee state tournament.  He started all 36 games…Earned All-District 16-AAA and All-League honors…Named to the Region 8-AAA All-Tournament team…A Commercial Appeal Best of the Preps honoree.

As a junior in 2009-10, he led Melrose to a 37-4 overall record and the Tennessee Class 16-AAA State Championship.  Meanwhile, in the summer of 2009, he received a Gold Medal on Team USA in the FIBA Under-16 Championships in Argentina.

During his high school basketball career, Thomas averaged 19.2 points, 12.3 rebounds, 4.9 blocks, 4.1 assists and 3.6 steals in helping lead Melrose to a 26-7 overall record…scored 15 points in Melrose’s District 16-AAA Championship…Netted a game high of 27 points in a loss to White Station in the region 8-AAA title contest.

Moving into the summer of 2010, Thomas received another Gold Medal on Team USA in the FIBA Under-17 Championships in Hamburg, Germany.  Thomas was also privileged to play in the 2011 McDonald’s All-American game, 2011 Jordan Brand Classic and 2011 Nike Hoops Summit.

Thomas outstanding athletic ability brought him to being named the State of Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year and was a finalist for the Gatorade National Player of the Year honor…A finalist for Tennessee’s Class AAA Mr. Basketball honor in 2010-11…Became the fifth player in the city of Memphis history to be named to the Parade Magazine All-American first team…Also named to SLAM Magazine’s All-American squad…Earned Tennessee Sports Winters Association (TSWA) Class AAA All-State honors.

Thomas is currently a sophomore at the University of Memphis majoring in Organizational Leadership.  As he serves his duties in the class room becoming a member of the Tiger 3.0 Club, he also adds a great impact to the UofM Tigers Men’s Basketball team.  He is a 6'7" guard/forward, weighing at 240 lbs. 

He is the second leading scorer as of the 2012-13 season.  He rose as a freshman becoming Wayman

Tisdale Award Candidate for the 2011-12 pre-season, which is given to the nation’s top freshman.  In

2012-13 preseason, he was awarded as All-Conference USA second team. 

Thomas has played in 19 games, making eight starts…averaging 8.8 points and 3.2 rebounds.  He has 15 assists, 14 blocked shots and 11 steals…shooting 48.6 percent from the field, 40.5 percent from the three-point arc and 70.8 percent from the free throw line.  He wasn’t able to make 16 contests as a result of an ankle injury (torn superior lateral peronneal tendon retinaculum) that required surgery and rehab.

Thomas is now back in action and preparing for the 2013 NBA draft making his dreams become his reality.  His charisma and demeanor speaks for itself as he boldly competes with any opponent presented to him.   

I present to you more of Thomas' acculades: 

Rated the No.1 player in the nation by The Sporting News…also among the Top-10 players in the county by MaxPreps.com (No.3), ESPNU 100 (No.8) and scout.com (No.8)…Rivals.com rated him the No. 15 overall player in the country for position rankings, ranked the No.2 small forward in the nation by ESPNU, MaxPreps.com and Scout.com and rated the No.6 small forward by Rivals.com…considered the top hoops prospect in the state of Tennessee. 

NBA Top Prospect

Ben McLemore III is a 20 yr. old freshman at the University of Kansas who has entered into the 2013 NBA Draft as of April 9, 2013 and considered as a top prospect, possibly the #1 Draft Pick.  He is a native of St. Louis, Missouri, the fourth child of five and the son of of Sonya Reid and Ben McLemore II.  His athletic ability and demeanor on the court has cumulated comparisons to that of NBA star, Ray Allen.  He dominates the court as a 6'4"; shooting guard/small forward; redshirt freshman weighing 189 lb.  He was ranked No.17 overall on the national scale and No. 4 among shooting guards averages by Rivals.com.  He averaged 16.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists on 50.7% shooting from the field and 86.7% shooting from the foul line during his first season as a redshirt freshman.  In addition he was named a finalist for the John R. Wooden Award, an award given annually to the most outstanding men's and women's college basketball players.  His drive, hardwork, and dedication has garnered to his outstanding achievements and on June 27th we will see his dreams become reality during the 2013 NBA draft.  Stay tuned.