All-American Niem Stevenson Inks with Texas Tech
After a long and heated recruiting journey over the past six months, Seward County All-American Niem Stevenson has finally decided a landing spot for the final two years of his collegiate career. Tuesday, the Dallas native signed to return to the Lone Star State, taking his talents to Lubbock to join the Texas Tech Red Raiders next season.
Stevenson couldn't have been much better in his sophomore season for the Saints, leading the Jayhawk Conference in scoring by a wide margin, putting up 24.7 points per game which was also good for 4th in the NJCAA. Stevenson was efficient with the ball in his hands as well, connecting on 51% from the field on the season, the second best mark by any of the nation's top 10 scorers. A model of consistency, Stevenson scored 20 or more points 24 times last season and went over 30 seven times. His top three scoring games of the season all came against the league's top two teams as he went for 37 and 35 in the Saints two games against conference champs Hutchinson and 36 against runner-up Pratt.
Stevenson became just the fifth Seward player to ever be named a 1st Team NJCAA All-American at seasons end and the honor put him on a Saints historical pedestal of his own as it marked the first time any Seward player had been named an NJCAA All-American in both seasons in Liberal. Stevenson was runner-up for Jayhawk Conference Most Valuable Player honors for the second time in his career this season, earning 1st Team All-Jayhawk and 1st Team All-Region VI accolades. During the season Stevenson was recognized as the Jayhawk Conference Player of the Week a school record seven times in 2015-2016.
Stevenson finishes his Seward County career as the fourth all-time leading scorer with 1,345 points, trailing only Saints Hall of Famers Tony Slaughter, Kevin Houston, and Carlo Walton in the category. His 767 points this season also ranked fourth on the Saints all-time single season charts.
One of the hottest junior college recruits in the country this season, Stevenson had interest from a number of Power Five Conference programs, choosing Texas Tech over the likes of Kansas, Oregon, Texas A&M, Ohio State, and North Carolina State.
When asked about what he will miss most about Seward County Stevenson said "the people here have been so good to me over the past three years. They were here for me when they didn't even know me, they were here through my injury, and they are here for me now as I make my next step. I can't thank them enough."
Stevenson said of signing with the Red Raiders "I feel like I have a great connection with Coach Beard and Red Raider Nation has opened their arms for me ever since I have been on their radar. I can't wait to start my next journey in Lubbock in front of the greatest fans in the country."