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2016 small forward Lamar Stevens focusing on eight schools

2015 NIKE EYBL. SESSION 4. Minneapolis, MN.

Jon Lopez/Nike

Jon Lopez

A top 100 prospect on Rivals.com’s list of the top players in the Class of 2016, Philadelphia native Lamar Stevens doesn’t lack for suitors who hope to add him to their recruiting haul. Friday morning the 6-foot-6 small forward announced via Twitter that he’s focusing on eight schools at this point in his recruitment.

The schools that made the cut are, in no particular order, Temple, Pittsburgh, Marquette, Villanova, Penn State, Indiana, Maryland and SMU.

Of the eight schools listed four, Pittsburgh (Jamie Dixon), Marquette (Steve Wojciechowski), Penn State (Patrick Chambers) and SMU (Larry Brown), had their head coach present for Stevens’ game against Team Takeover at The8 in Las Vegas Friday afternoon with the other schools having at least one assistant present. And according to Stevens, the list is one that isn’t set in stone.

“It could definitely change if other schools come into the picture,” Stevens told NBC Sports Friday afternoon. “I’m not opposed to listening to other schools, but these eight schools are my focus right now.”

Stevens is in a position where he’s working to improve upon all aspects of his game. And while he certainly appears ticketed for the small forward position at the next level, Stevens noted that most of the programs that remain on his list see him simply as a hard-working playmaker who can fill a number of roles.

“I always try to be the hardest-playing player on the floor, so now I’m just trying to get my skill set down,” Stevens said. “Work on my handle, my mid-range game and just be the best player I can be.”

In regards to the ball-handling Stevens spent a lot of time on the ball against Team Takeover, a game in which he often matched up with Louisville commit V.J. King. Having the opportunity to do more with the ball in his hands, with fellow 2016 prospect Tony Carr not playing, is something that can only benefit Stevens as he gets closer to the college game. And in regards to that, Stevens is simply focused on the eight schools he named Friday as opposed to setting any kind of date for trimming that list even further.

“I just want to focus on the eight, listen to what they have to say and what they have to offer,” Stevens said. “Eventually I’ll cut it down again, but for right now I just want to focus on the eight I have.”