Indiana Pacers forward Lance Stephenson was dragged into a college basketball controversy recently as his alma matter Cincinnati faced bitter rivals Xavier. After the game, Xavier head coach Chris Mack alleged that in one meeting between the two teams in 2009-10, Stephenson called Mack the n-word, an allegation he denies, according to Jim Ayello of the Indianapolis Star.
“I probably said something else negative,” the Indiana Pacers forward said,”but I definitely didn’t call him that.”
But while Stephenson denies saying that specific word, he did admit that his 19-year-old self was “crazy.”
“Oh man. You think I’m bad now, 19-year old Lance was crazy. I probably said something crazy, but I don’t think I said what he said I said.”
Of course, Stephenson has had his share of crazy and controversial incidents even beyond his teen years. Perhaps none is more infamous than his blowing in LeBron James’ ear during the 2014 playoffs. To his credit, though, he has cut out on those sorts of incidents in recent years.
While Stephenson denies the allegations levied against him, his history of unruly behavior suggests it’s not completely out of the realm of possibility that he did actually do and say what Mack alleges he did back in college.
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