Stephens has coaches interested

Tallahassee CC (FL) forward Kailex Stephens finished his first year at the Division II level averaging 13.2 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.

He starred at Francis Marion, where he finished the year as Co-Men’s Freshman of the Year. Shortly after receiving the honor, Stephens placed his name in the transfer portal in hopes to go Division I.

Since then, the number of schools that have been in to see him or show interest has grown significantly. Albany, Troy, Illinois-Chicago, Jacksonville, Manhattan, Tulsa, Grambling State, Sam Houston State, Portland State and more are currently recruiting him.

“I would say they like that I’m long and athletic,” he said of what coaches like about him. “I can shoot the three and put it on the floor. Another thing they like is that I know how to play the game the right way, I rebound the ball well and I can guard multiple positions. I’m very versatile.”

Troy, who has been involved with Stephens for sometime now, offered him recently and they’ve liked a lot about his game so far.

“They were already recruiting me,” he said of Troy. “They came down last week to watch me and then they came back down today and offered. When they offered, I was just excited.”

With so many programs showing interest at this point, it’s been easy for him to keep his options open and just play basketball. He’s still adding offers at the Division I level and maintains that he’s wide open.

“I’m still open right now,” he said. “I haven’t narrowed down to any schools yet.

So far, Grambling State, Troy, UNC-Asheville, Jacksonville State, Albany and Illinois-Chicago have offered.