When former University of Cincinnati standout Lance Stephenson slid to the 40th pick in the 2nd round of the 2010 NBA Draft, he became a prospect that Indiana Pacers president of basketball operations Larry Bird couldn’t pass up.

“Lance obviously has some growing to do,” Bird said. “But I was really surprised he made it to the second round.”

Well yesterday Larry gained a better understanding why so many teams decided to pass on the once immensely hyped high school talent.

Stephenson was arrested yesterday after he allegedly pushed his girlfriend and the mother of his child Jasmine Williams down the concrete stairs of her Brooklyn home. When Williams landed at the bottom step, Lance picked up her head and slammed it on the step.
Authorities say that the incident between Stephenson and Williams occurred sometime around 5 a.m. Sunday. Williams was returning home to her apartment building with two of her friends and found Stephenson waiting for her and then the confrontation ensued that ended with Stephenson slamming her head into the step.

The incident left 21 year old Jasmine Williams in the hospital Monday morning, where she is being treated for head and neck injuries.

Stephenson has been charged with assault, reckless endangerment, and menacing. If he is convicted on all counts Lance Stephenson could face 12 years in prison according to the New York Post. If Lance is convicted on the one count of assault, he will face a minimum of seven years in prison. This isn’t Stephenson’s first time on the wrong side of the law, last year he pleaded guilty to a disorderly conduct incident that involved Stephenson groping a 17 year old female.

So far the Indiana Pacers haven’t taken any action against their recently signed second round draft pick. Larry Bird told the New York Post that the team is looking into the situation.

"We are currently in the process of gathering information and will have further comments as we learn more facts."

Forget about the fact that this guy ever played basketball; this is nothing more than a cowardly act that would definitely fit the aforementioned prison sentence. Hopefully Miss. Williams makes a full recovery from the attack she suffered. Athletes should be held to no different standard than anyone else who commits an offense like this and there is absolutely no justifying Lance Stephensons’ actions. Barring an unforeseen turn of events it appears that Lance Stephensons’ dreams of an NBA career may have just ended and the reality of an extended prison term may have just begun.

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