SENIOR
FORWARD
6’9, 207
LAFAYETTE, LA
NORTHSIDE HS
BEFORE UK:
Perry is yet another of the UK basketball players that led their teams to the state HS championship. Perry was a key member of the Lafayette Northiside 4A State Champions. I could not find a lot of details on Perry’s HS stats. His junior year in HS he did average close to a triple double with 13 points, 11 rebounds and 9 blocks a game. For his senior season, he was rated the #17th highest PF and #63rd best player overall by rivals.com.
AS A WILDCAT:
Perry started his first 5 games as a Wildcat and had a memorable debut as he swatted 7 shots in his very first game. He only averaged 4.4 points for those games and he found his way to the bench and he got sporadic playing time the rest of his freshman season. He averaged 10 minutes a game with 2.9 points and 2.2 rebounds a game. Perry did show flashes of potential his freshman season as he shot 65.6 from the field but only took a shot about once every 5 minutes he played. His best game came after he lost his starting spot and he scored 14 points on 7-7 shooting vs College of Charleston in just 16 minutes.
Perry’s second season started with his second coach and as with the first, Perry showed signs of breaking through and then would seem to disappear for a few games. This put him into a wildly erratic rotation of playing time which did not help his overall play. He showed those flashes of potential hitting double digits 5 times in the first 2 thirds of the season but then would would disappear. His first start of the season vs Tennessee Tech was indicative of his career this far as he played 34 minutes yet only scored 4 points on 2-3 shooting. Perry seemed to come into his own when freshman Patrick Patterson went down to a season ending injury. Perry hit double figures scoring in three of the last 5 games and had a 18 point , 10 rebound game versus Florida on 6-6 shooting in a game that propelled UK into the NCAA’s. Stevenson finished the season with 5.9 points and 5.1 boards a game.
Perry earned a starting spot for his junior season and had the Wildcat world ablaze with his 20 point, 14 board game against VMI and then disappeared offensively, going the next four games without a FG with 0-7 shooting. Once again this season, Stevenson showed signs of brilliance and of becoming that top 100 caliber player as he hit double digits 12 times and had double digit rebounds 6 times and had 4 double doubles on the season. Unfortunately the inconsistency plagued Perry from taking the next big step as he averaged 7.8 points and 5.9 rebounds a game as he logged 28 minutes a game.
CAREER HIGHS:
Points: 20 – 11/14/2008 – vs VMI
Rebounds: 14 – 11/14/2008 – vs VMI
Assists: 4 (3x) – last 3/13/2009 – vs LSU
Blocks: 7 – 11/15/2006 – vs Miami (OH)
Steals: 5 – 1/12/2008 – Vs Vandy
WHAT TO EXPECT THIS SEASON:
Like Ramon Harris, Perry Stephenson will have to swallow his pride and go from a starer last season to maybe the fourth big man behind three potential NBA players. That said, I think that Perry is one of the few players that has the demeanor to handle a diminished role. I think that going into the exhibitions, Stevenson was among a few players that were fighting to crack the regular rotation and to gain a spot on the “second five lineup”.
It is obvious that Perry has to make the most of his minutes and must steep up the scoring attempts when he does get into the game. In the Blue/White game, he kind of disappeared and finished with 2 points and 3 rebounds. He did redeem himself in the Campbellsville exhibition as he had 11 points in just five minutes and even nailed a 3 pointer. He also drew 3 fouls in that period of time. Against Clarion, he had 8 points was was 2-2 from the floor and 4-4 from the line. About this time, Calipari made a comment that Stevenson had “played himself into the rotation. I think this is good for him as he can play that nasty defense in short spurts and will be looked upon to provide senior leadership. I think we can count on Perry for around 12 minutes, 6 points and 4-6 boards a night with a couple of blocks.
I think that not having the pressure of starting and being “the man” will allow Perry to relax, and contribute more and allow him to enjoy his senior season.
Perry on his approach to this season: “Yeah, I have definitely (changed things). I’m not going to be doing this again next year and that should be motivation enough. I’ve taken a different approach every day making sure I’m getting something basketball related done every day. I just need to be better at things.” (from Catspause)
CALIPARI ON PERRY:
“Perry is the most experienced player on this year’s team. He’s one of the best shot blockers in UK history and his wing span and timing on defense will frustrate opponents. He is very underrated as a perimeter shooter. Fans will see a more versatile player this upcoming season”
Keep following www.http://wildcatbluenation.com for the best in Kentucky basketball and football news, rumors, and opinions. By Kentucky fans for Kentucky fans