Matt Levins - The Hawk Eye / John Gaines Photography
hay Stephens has blossomed into one of the top guards in the state over the course of the last three seasons at Notre Dame High School.
Last year was Stephens’ breakout year. He helped the Nikes to a substate final, one win away from the Class 1A state tournament.
Stephens paid his dues along the way, playing AAU basketball for Murray Elite, a team based out of North Liberty.
Stephens’ hard work paid off.
Stephens, a 6-foot-4 senior guard for Notre Dame, verbally committed this week to continue his basketball career next year at Western Illinois University, an NCAA Division I school in Macomb, Illinois.
For Stephens, it is the perfect fit.
“It was kind of sudden. I took a visit and I really liked it,” Stephens said. “I really like the coaches and the team all came over and introduced themselves to me. They were all very welcoming. That was a big thing for me. I watched them practice and I decided this is the place I want to be.”
Stephens comes from a very athletic family. His grandfather, Delbert Stephens, is a well-known basketball icon in Burlington. His parents, Corey and Meghan Stephens, were multi-sport athletes in high school. His older sister, Katy Stephens, is a junior on the Northern Iowa University women’s track and field team. And his middle sister, Taryn, is a sophomore on the Southeastern Community College volleyball team.
Shay Stephens is coming off an all-state junior season in which he averaged 20.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 2.8 steals per game while shooting 51 percent from the field, 36.5 percent from 3-point range and 76.7 percent from the free-throw line.
For his career, Stephens is averaging 12.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.9 steals per game.
As productive as Stephens is on the offensive end of the floor, he is even more valuable on the defensive end. His cat-like quickness and length make him one of the best defensive guards in the state.
Stephens will join a WIU team coached by Chad Boudreau, a graduate of Harmony High School. It continues a long connection between Boudreau and the Stephens family.
“He’s a great guy. I’m excited to have him as my coach,” Stephens said.
Former Winfield-Mount Union High School standout Jake Edwards is a freshman on the WIU men’s basketball team this fall. Stephens said he is looking forward to reuniting with Edwards.
“It will be awesome having someone there that I already know and get along with,” Stephens said.
Stephens said he plans to follow a career path which will keep him around athletics.
Stephens said he is happy to get his college decision made early, allowing him to focus on his senior year academically and athletically at Notre Dame.
The Nikes open the season Dec. 2 with a game against Van Buren County at Father Minett Gymnasium.
“Now I can just focus on my senior year and my team,” Stephens said. “We are going to do our best this year. I think we have a chance to be a really good team. We have a lot of guys stepping into some big roles. I’m excited to get started.”