Reprinted from the West Chester Daily Local News
Stephen Dennis (West Chester, PA/Henderson)' surroundings may be eye opening, but his circumstance is nothing new.
Traveling from one NBA city to the other over the past few weeks, the Kutztown University product has found himself proving that he can play at the highest level. He has been doing this since his playing days at West Chester Henderson High School. Growing six inches the summer before his junior year, he led Henderson to two Ches-Mont League titles while scoring over 1,000 points for his high school career. Still, Dennis did not receive much interest from Division 1 college programs.
He has proven his doubters wrong thus far. In four seasons, Dennis broke the Kutztown school record in scoring (2,406), field goals (850), free throws (621) and assists (447). This past season he was awarded the Division II Ron Lenz National Player of the Year Award and led the Golden Bears to the NCAA Division II tournament for the second straight year.
For Dennis, this was all part of his plan.
"I always wanted to be the leading scorer in school history," he said from a New Jersey hotel room before a workout with the Nets on Wednesday. "I thought I should have been playing at the D-I level. I said that I have to come in here and show that I wasn't a joke. I had to show that I play ball just like the rest of them."
The 6-foot-6 guard's journey to show he belongs continued at the Virginia Portsmouth Invitational in April. The tournament showcases the top players in the college game every year.
"Portsmouth helped my confidence just by getting invited," Dennis said. "I didn't really do as well as I expected. It kind of brought me back to reality -- like yeah I need to get in the weight room, I need to go harder. I know my talent was there, but my body wasn't ready."
To get his body ready, Dennis spent six weeks at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., going through an unforgiving regimen that gave his body a complete shock. He says that he has gained about eleven pounds since the season ended.
Dennis' commitment paid off in the form of NBA interest. He earned invites from the New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Clippers and Nets. Dennis said that he held his own against top college players including Willie Warren (Oklahoma), Greivis Vasquez (Maryland), Dominique Jones (South Florida) and Craig Brackens (Iowa State).
"It's real exciting," Dennis said. "At first I was real nervous going into these big hotel rooms. But it's all fun. They watch you play and see what you can do. Its mind boggling. You don't expect all these GMs to want to talk to you. You dream about it but when it actually happens, I feel like a little kid again."
Dennis' agent, Emile Boccio, knows his client has the ability to play.
"He's better than a lot of these guys," Boccio said." He is athletic enough and has the size to be an NBA point guard. He's never really been involved in strength and conditioning program. Now he's on a program. That's the one thing I have heard from all teams that he may be a little too light."
With the draft tonight, Dennis has done all he can do. He has shown that he is a matchup nightmare at the point and is willing to work on his slight frame and shooting range. Dennis knows that the D-II label has hurt him, but is encouraged by Ben Wallace (Virginia Union), Flip Murray (Shaw), and Devean George (Augsburg) who all made the leap from the lower levels. George was a first round pick by the Lakers in 1999 out of Division III.
"My motto is ball players play ball," Dennis said. "I think we are getting more of a chance to show what we can do. It's all about getting the opportunity. Your talent is going to get noticed. Just keep going hard and you keep doing what you are supposed to do. Every single team said that they liked me and that I am very intriguing. It's just depending on if they actually take a chance and draft a D-II player."
Even if that chance is not taken, all hope is not lost. Dennis will have the chance to play in the Las Vegas or Orlando summer league to compete for a roster spot. He actually has the advantage over those selected in the second round — players who do not receive guaranteed contracts.
"A lot of young players get caught up with hearing their name called and if their name doesn't get called then it's over," Boccio said. "He knows that if his name does not get called, it's not the end of the world. He's going to be a pro at some level next year. Our goal is to put him in the best possible situation to make it to the league. Everybody seems to believe that he has the ability to play at the next level. You never give up hope, but you just want to be more realistic about it."
Dennis plans to watch the draft with his family and friends at his West Chester home. He will have a keen eye on which teams select guards to better gauge his best chance at making a team. Realistically, Dennis should have a summer league team by Saturday, where his next proving ground will be before him.
"There are a lot of teams that I can fit in with," Dennis said. "I know that right now I can play at that level. You just have to get there. Once you get that chance, you have to go hard and prove that you should be there."
