Alex Stepheson

{{Infobox basketball biography

| name = Alex Stepheson

| image = Stepheson1208.jpg

| image_size = 250px

| caption = In December 2018, Yokohama B-Corsairs

| position = Power forward / center

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 10

| weight_lb = 249

| league =

| team =

| number =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1987|8|7}}

| birth_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S.

| highschool = Harvard-Westlake
(North Hollywood, California)

| college =

North Carolina (2006–2008)
USC (2009–2011)

| draft_year = 2011

| career_start = 2011

| career_end = 2019

| years1 = 2011–2012

| team1 = Panionios

| years2 = 2013–2014

| team2 = Union Olimpija

| years3 = 2014–2015

| team3 = İstanbul BB

| years4 = 2015–2016

| team4 = Iowa Energy

| years5 = {{nbay|2015|end}}

| team5 = Los Angeles Clippers

| years6 = {{nbay|2015|end}}

| team6 = Memphis Grizzlies

| years7 = 2016–2017

| team7 = Guangzhou Long-Lions

| years8 = 2017

| team8 = Meralco Bolts

| years9 = 2018–2019

| team9 = Yokohama B-Corsairs

| years10 = 2019

| team10 = Blackwater Elite

| years11= 2019

| team11= Koshigaya Alphas

| highlights =

All-NBA D-League First Team (2016)
NBA D-League All-Star (2016)
Slovenian Supercup winner (2013)
Slovenian Supercup MVP (2013)
Turkish League All-Star (2015)
Fourth-team Parade All-American (2006)

| medaltemplates =

}}

Alexander Stepheson (pronounced Steevis-son; born August 7, 1987) is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for North Carolina and USC.

High school career

Stepheson played high school basketball at Harvard-Westlake School in North Hollywood, California, where he grabbed 20 or more rebounds in 16 games as a senior.

=Awards and highlights=

Averaged 17.0 points, 14.4 rebounds, and 3.9 blocks as a junior.
Led Harvard-Westlake School to a 26–4 mark and California Southern Sectional title in 2005.
Averaged 20.4 points and 17.8 rebounds as a senior.
Had a five-game streak with 32, 31, 23, 28, and 21 rebounds.
Set a single-game school mark with 32 rebounds.
Broke the school record for career rebounds in just three seasons (the previous record was held by former Stanford University center and NBA player Jason Collins).
2006 Fourth-team Parade All-American
Named the Co-MVP of the East All-Stars at the 2006 Roundball Classic in Chicago, after he had 15 points and 9 rebounds.

College career

Stepheson originally played college basketball for the University of North Carolina with the Tar Heels. At the end of 2007–08 season, Stepheson decided to transfer to the University of Southern California, citing family illness.{{cite web|first=Ben |last=Goldstein |title=Stepheson transfers to USC for family reasons |url=http://students.hw.com/chronicle/Sports/SportsArticles/tabid/1292/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2201/Stepheson-transfers-to-USC-for-family-reasons.aspx |publisher=HW.com |date=September 3, 2008 |accessdate=July 25, 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204115202/http://students.hw.com/chronicle/Sports/SportsArticles/tabid/1292/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2201/Stepheson-transfers-to-USC-for-family-reasons.aspx |archivedate=December 4, 2008 }} He chose to play for the USC Trojans on July 17, 2008. In 2009, he was named Pac-10 Player of the Week, for the week of Dec. 14–20.

Stepheson played in the Reese's College All-Star Game, where he had 6 points and 7 rebounds. He also played in the Portsmith Invitational Tournament, where he averaged 8 point and 10 rebounds over three games.

Professional career

=Panionios (2011–2013)=

After going undrafted in the 2011 NBA draft, Stepheson began his professional career in Greece, with the Greek League club Panionios. In the 2011–12 season, he averaged 10.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game in 21 Greek League games. He then missed the entire 2012–13 season due to an injury he suffered with Panionios.

=Union Olimpija (2013–2014)=

In July 2013, Stepheson signed a one-year deal to play in Slovenia with Union Olimpija.{{cite web|title=Union Olimpija Lubiana announce center Alex Stepheson|url=http://www.sportando.com/en/cups/adriatic-league/104112/union-olimpija-lubiana-announce-center-alex-stepheson.html|work=Sportando.com|date=July 25, 2013|accessdate=July 25, 2013}} In 20 Premier A Slovenian League games for Olimpija, Stepheson averaged 6.6 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. He also averaged 8.3 points and 5.7 rebounds per game in the Adriatic League.{{cite web|title=ALEX STEPHESON Basic Statistics 2013/14 Adriatic|url=http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Alex-Stepheson-1390/stats/|work=DraftExpress.com|accessdate=February 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302125403/http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Alex-Stepheson-1390/stats/|archive-date=March 2, 2016|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

=İstanbul BB (2014–2015)=

In July 2014, Stepheson joined the Sacramento Kings for the 2014 NBA Summer League. He later signed in Turkey with the Turkish League club İstanbul BB for the 2014–15 season.{{cite web|title=Alex Stephenson signs with IBB|url=http://www.sportando.com/en/europe/turkey/132549/alex-stephenson-signs-with-ibb.html|work=Sportando.com|date=August 25, 2014|accessdate=February 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919202003/http://www.sportando.com/en/europe/turkey/132549/alex-stephenson-signs-with-ibb.html|archive-date=September 19, 2015|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} In 29 games in the Turkish League, he averaged 12.3 points and 9.2 rebounds per game.

=NBA and D-League (2015–2016)=

In July 2015, Stepheson joined the Dallas Mavericks for the 2015 NBA Summer League. On October 7, 2015, he signed with the Memphis Grizzlies.{{cite news|title=Memphis Grizzlies sign Alex Stepheson|url=http://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/alex-stepheson-151007|accessdate=October 7, 2015|work=NBA.com|date=October 7, 2015}} However, he was waived on October 24 after appearing in three preseason games.{{cite news|title=Memphis Grizzlies waive four players|url=http://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/grizzlies-waive-players-151024|accessdate=October 24, 2015|work=NBA.com|date=October 24, 2015}} On October 31, he was acquired by the Iowa Energy of the NBA Development League as an affiliate player of the Grizzlies.{{cite news|title=Iowa Energy Announce Returning, Affiliate, Tryout Players and Draft Rights Players for 2015 Training|url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=5065432|accessdate=October 31, 2015|work=OurSportsCentral.com|date=October 31, 2015}} On November 14, he made his debut with Iowa in a 98–95 win over the Sioux Falls Skyforce, recording 13 points, 17 rebounds, two assists and one steal in 37 minutes.{{cite web|url=http://dleague.nba.com/games/20151114/IWASXF/|title=Skyforce Fall Against Energy 98-95 In Home Opener|work=NBA.com|date=November 14, 2015|accessdate=February 20, 2016|archive-date=February 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160219201750/http://dleague.nba.com/games/20151114/IWASXF/|url-status=dead}} On January 29, 2016, he was named in the East All-Star team for the 2016 NBA D-League All-Star Game after averaging 15.7 points, 13.3 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 34.3 minutes in 26 games.{{cite web|url=http://dleague.nba.com/news/2016-nba-development-league-all-star-game-rosters/|title=Sixteen NBA Veterans Headline Rosters for NBA Development League All-Star Game Presented By Kumho Tire|work=NBA.com|date=January 29, 2016|accessdate=January 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207115139/http://dleague.nba.com/news/2016-nba-development-league-all-star-game-rosters/|archive-date=February 7, 2017|url-status=dead}}

On February 20, 2016, Stepheson signed a 10-day contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.{{cite web|url=http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=18980|title=Clippers sign Alex Stepheson to 10-day contract|work=InsideHoops.com|date=February 20, 2016|accessdate=February 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160223105324/http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=18980|archive-date=February 23, 2016|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} He made his NBA debut later that night in a 115–112 loss to the Golden State Warriors, recording one rebound in two minutes.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20160220/GSWLAC/gameinfo.html|title=Warriors ride hot shooting to 115-112 victory over Clippers|work=NBA.com|date=February 20, 2016|accessdate=February 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181229100226/http://www.nba.com/games/20160220/GSWLAC/gameinfo.html|archive-date=December 29, 2018|url-status=dead}} Two days later, Stepheson scored his first basket on a tip-in against the Phoenix Suns and also his first block after rejecting Jon Leuer.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20160222/PHXLAC/gameinfo.html|title=Clippers hand Suns worst loss of dismal season, 124-84|work=NBA.com|date=February 23, 2016|accessdate=February 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160229210540/http://www.nba.com/games/20160222/PHXLAC/gameinfo.html|archive-date=February 29, 2016|url-status=dead}} On March 2, he signed a second 10-day contract with the Clippers.{{cite web|url=http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=19038|title=Clippers sign Alex Stepheson to second 10-day contract|work=InsideHoops.com|date=March 2, 2016|accessdate=March 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209123846/http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=19038|archive-date=December 9, 2018|url-status=dead}} Following the expiration of his second 10-day contract, the Clippers parted ways with Stepheson.

On March 12, 2016, Stepheson signed a 10-day contract with the Memphis Grizzlies to help the team deal with numerous injuries. Memphis had to use an NBA hardship exemption in order to sign him as he made their roster stand at 17, two over the allowed limited of 15.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/maccallum-stepheson-signed-160312|title=Grizzlies sign Ray McCallum and Alex Stepheson to 10-Day Contracts|work=NBA.com|date=March 12, 2016|accessdate=March 12, 2016}} In just his second game for the Grizzlies on March 14, Stepheson recorded 12 points and 15 rebounds in 25 minutes off the bench against the Houston Rockets, playing extended minutes due to the team's injury depleted roster.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20160314/MEMHOU/gameinfo.html|title=Motiejunas and Ariza help Rockets to 130-81 win over Memphis|work=NBA.com|date=March 14, 2016|accessdate=March 14, 2016}} On March 22, following the conclusion of his 10-day contract, the Grizzlies parted ways with Stepheson.{{cite web|first=Rob|last=Fischer|url=https://twitter.com/thefishnation/status/712305886279012352|title=In addition, Alex Stepheson's 10-day...|work=Twitter|date=March 22, 2016|accessdate=March 22, 2016}}{{cite web|first=Ronald|last=Tillery|url=https://twitter.com/CAGrizBeat/status/712308863853322242|title=Griz lost an injury exception so Alex Stepheson...|work=Twitter|date=March 22, 2016|accessdate=March 22, 2016}} The following day, he returned to Iowa.{{cite web|url=http://dleague.nba.com/transactions/ |title=NBA D-League Transactions |work=NBA.com |accessdate=March 24, 2016 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325050312/http://dleague.nba.com/transactions/ |archivedate=March 25, 2016 }} At the season's end, he was named to the All-NBA D-League First Team.{{cite web|url=http://dleague.nba.com/news/2015-16-all-nba-dleague-teams-release/|title=NBA Development League Announces 2015-16 All-NBA D-League Teams|work=NBA.com|date=April 29, 2016|accessdate=April 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160904054918/http://dleague.nba.com/news/2015-16-all-nba-dleague-teams-release/|archive-date=September 4, 2016|url-status=dead}}

=China and Philippines (2016–2017)=

In July 2016, Stepheson joined the Grizzlies for the 2016 NBA Summer League.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/summer-league-roster-160705|title=Grizzlies announce NBA Summer League 2016 roster|work=NBA.com|date=July 5, 2016|accessdate=November 20, 2016}} On November 15, 2016, Stepheson signed with Guangzhou Long-Lions of the Chinese Basketball Association.{{cite web|url=http://www.asia-basket.com/China/news/469398/Alex-Stepheson-signs-at-Guangzhou|title=Alex Stepheson signs at Guangzhou|work=Asia-Basket.com|date=November 15, 2016|accessdate=November 19, 2016}} That day he made his debut for Guangzhou in a 99–89 loss to the Xinjiang Flying Tigers, recording 10 points, 14 rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block in 21 minutes off the bench.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurobasket.com/boxScores/China/2016/1115_3514_4369.asp|title=Regular Season Round 7: Guangzhou - Xingjiang FT 89-99|work=Eurobasket.com|date=November 15, 2016|accessdate=November 19, 2016}}

In February 2017, he was signed by the Meralco Bolts as their import for the 2017 PBA Commissioner's Cup.{{Cite web |url=http://www.spin.ph/basketball/news/meralco-import-rebounding-machine-alex-stepheson-pba-commissioners-cup |title=Meralco bringing in former NBA player Alex Stepheson as Onuaku unavailable |last=Sacamos |first=Karlo |publisher=spin.ph |publication-date=February 23, 2017 |access-date=February 23, 2017}}

=Yokohama B-Corsairs (2018–2019)=

On December 7, 2018, Stepheson signed with Yokohama B-Corsairs of the Japanese basketball league B.League. Stepheson averaged 15.2 ppg and led the Japanese basketball league B.League in rebounding with 13.6 rpg.

=Blackwater Elite (2019)=

Stepheson signed with the Blackwater Elite of the PBA.{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/blackwater-import-alex-stepheson-pba-commissioners-cup-a795-20190418|title=Blackwater taps former Meralco import Alex Stepheson for Commissioner's Cup|website=Spin.ph}}

Stepheson averaged 22 ppg and 22 rpg for Blackwater Elite.

NBA Career statistics

= Regular season =

| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2015}}

| style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Clippers

| 4 || 0 || 3.0 || 1.000 || – || .000 || .5 || .0 || .0 || .5 || .5

| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2015}}

| style="text-align:left;"| Memphis

| 4 || 0 || 15.3 || .308 || – || .400 || 6.5 || .5 || .3 || .8 || 5.0

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career

| 8 || 0 || 9.0 || .333 || .000 || .333 || 3.5 || .3 || .1 || .6 || 2.8

International Career Statistics

| align=center | 2011–12

| align=left | Panionios B.C.

| EuroCup

| 21 || 23.4 || .623 || 1.000 || .535 || 7.3 || .8 || .4 || .9 || 10.3

| align=center | 2013–14

| align=left | Union Olimpija

| Liga Aba

| 26 || 17.4 || .560 || .000 || .384 || 5.7 || .2 || .5 || 1.0 || 8.3

| align=center| 2013–14

| align=left | Union Olimpija

| SKL

| 20 || 16.4 || .485 || .000 || .562 || 5.2 || .3 || .2 || .6 || 6.6

| align=center| 2013–14

| align=left | Union Olimpija

| EuroCup

| 16 || 17.3 || .637 || .000 || .358 || 6.3 || .3 || .3 || .9 || 8.4

| align=center| 2014–15

| align=left| Istanbul BB

| TBL

| 29 || 26.8 || .563 || .000 || .437 || 9.2 || .9 || .3 || .9 || 12.3

|-class=sortbottom

| align="center" colspan=2 | Career

|| || 112 || 20.8 || .571 || .200 || .462 || 6.9 || .5 || .3 || .9 || 9.4

The Basketball Tournament

Alex Stepheson played for Sons of Westwood in the 2018 edition of The Basketball Tournament. Sons of Westwood made it to the Super 16 before falling to Team Challenge ALS.

Acting career

Stepheson made his acting debut in the critically acclaimed TV Series, [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8458066/ The Perfect Plan] in 2018.

References

External links

{{basketball stats|nba=1627293|bbr=s/stephal01}}
[https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/?pcode=005185 Alex Stepheson] at eurocupbasketball.com
[http://www.usctrojans.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/stepheson_alex00.html Alex Stepheson] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053733/http://www.usctrojans.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/stepheson_alex00.html |date=March 4, 2016 }} at usctrojans.com
[http://www.nba.com/clippers/news/la-native-debut-alex-stepheson Stepheson Makes NBA Debut For Clippers]

Category:1987 births

Category:Living people

Category:American expatriate basketball people in China

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Greece

Category:American expatriate basketball people in the Philippines

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Slovenia

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Turkey

Category:Basketball players from Los Angeles

Category:Centers (basketball)

Category:Harvard-Westlake School alumni

Category:Iowa Energy players

Category:İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyespor basketball players