Crim: Southeastern’s Stephens ready to start college basketball career anew, transfers to WIU

QUINCY – Danny Stephens is looking for a “fresh start” to his college basketball career.

After being sidelined because of injuries during his two seasons at the University of Missouri, the former Augusta Southeastern High School all-stater has decided to transfer to Western Illinois University.

Because he was redshirted after suffering a foot fracture during his first season at Mizzou and was awarded a medical redshirt after tearing a thumb ligament that required season-ending surgery last fall, Stephens will be considered a freshman when he suits up for the Leathernecks.

It’s almost like hitting the rewind button.

“I wanted a fresh, new start,” Stephens said. “I had a few other schools recruiting me. I liked (WIU coach) Chad Boudreau. I had a great relationship with him when he was recruiting me in high school. He was the first one to call when I entered the (transfer) portal.

“I wanted to be close to home. I need experience on the floor. It felt like the right thing to do.”

He said Missouri coach Dennis Gates supported the decision.

“He completely understood,” Stephens said. “The selfish part of him wanted me to stay. The father side of him wants me to go and play, to get that experience. He doesn’t think I’m done with him yet. He would like to see me back after a year or two.”

The last time we saw Stephens on the court he was rewriting the Southeastern record book. He became the school’s all-time leader in points scored with 2,428 during his four-year high school career.

He led the Suns to the Elite Eight in the 2022 Class 1A state tournament despite missing 16 games with a thumb injury and was averaging 29.5 points and 9.2 rebounds per game the following year before suffering a lower back/hip injury in early February that prematurely ended his senior season.

A two-time consensus all-state selection, Stephens spurned scholarship offers from WIU, Eastern Illinois, South Dakota and Southeast Missouri State to instead take his chances as a preferred walk-on at Missouri and play in the Southeastern Conference.

“It’s an opportunity to play at the highest level in college basketball,” he said at the time. “It’s always been a dream of mine to do that. Bet on myself and see what I can do.”

While injuries prevented him from cashing that bet, Stephens doesn’t second-guess his decision.

“I try to look at it as everything has a purpose,” he said. “Maybe I wasn’t on the floor at Mizzou because of injuries, but I would say I’m a better player than if I hadn’t been there. The experience I’ve gotten and the people I was around – their knowledge is through the roof – has made me a whole new player.

“Looking back, I wasn’t ready to be a good college player when I was first coming to college. The unfortunate injuries made me mentally stronger. The difference between a lot of great basketball players and the others is that the great ones are so much better mentally.

“Skills only take you so far. Mentality and confidence can take you a lot further.”

Stephens hopes to parlay his Mizzou experience, along with his versatility on the court, to help WIU rebound from a 12-19 season that saw it finish 10^th in the 11-team Ohio Valley Conference last season.

The Leathernecks’ top three scorers – guards Marko Maletic, Ryan Myers and Sean Smith – were seniors, as was forward Trey Deveraux, so a major roster retooling is in order.

The 6-foot-7, 230-pound Stephens said Boudreau envisions him as a player he can “plug in anywhere and make an impact.” He can post up smaller defenders inside, attack mismatches on the perimeter and guard the 1 through 5 spots defensively.

“I’m technically a freshman, but I have two years of college experience under my belt,” Stephens said. “I can apply the leadership I was able to learn from coach Gates and my teammates (at Mizzou).

“I have never been a very vocal person, but I have learned to speak when needed. I think being a veteran and being a leader is something I can provide.”

Stephens was medically cleared to resume basketball activities last month. He continues to work out daily with the Missouri staff and believes he is getting closer to 100 percent physically.

He plans to spend the summer in Macomb working out with and getting to know his new teammates. He shares Boudreau’s dream of WIU earning its first-ever NCAA Division I tournament bid, but the last two years have taught him not to set too many goals.

“It discourages you when you don’t meet them,” he said. “Just stay persistent and determined and try to get better every day. I guess that’s my goal.”

Along with good health, of course.

Danny Stephens deserves the chance to thrill crowds again.