UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection Lamar Stevens announced his intent to return to the Penn State men's basketball team for his senior season in 2019-20 on May 29. The league’s top returning scorer and rebounder, the 6-foot-8, 230-pound forward led the Nittany Lions in scoring (19.9 points per game) and rebounding (7.7 rebounds per game) last season, with 20 or more points in 18 games and nine double-doubles.
"I started on this journey with Coach Chambers four years ago, and my parents always told me to finish what you start," Stevens said. "Words can't express how excited I am to attack this year with my coach and my brothers right beside me. I'm ready to take Penn State to new heights."
Stevens, from North Wales, Pennsylvania, stands fifth on Penn State’s all-time scoring leaders list with 1,660 points and became the fastest junior to reach the 1,500-point milestone for his career. A starter in all 104 games in his three-year career, Stevens is one of only six Nittany Lions with at least 1,500 career points and 600 career rebounds. He is listed on six Penn State career top-10 charts and his 660 career rebounds currently rank 16th all-time.
“From the very beginning, Lamar (Stevens) made it clear that he wanted to accomplish something no one had ever done before,” said Penn State men's basketball coach Pat Chambers. “He committed to Penn State and immediately had an impact on our program as a freshman. As both a player and a leader, Lamar has established himself as the cornerstone of our program’s success and we’re excited for what the future holds for him for his senior season and beyond.”
One of only three Big Ten Conference players to rank in the top 10 in both scoring and rebounding in 2018-19, Stevens ranked second in scoring and eighth in rebounding in all games played in his junior season. As a sophomore, Stevens earned honorable mention all-conference honors and was voted the National Invitation Tournament Most Outstanding Player following the Nittany Lions’ 2018 championship.
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