Tiera Stephen joins UW women's basketball
July 22, 2009 | Women's Basketball
Tiera (TEE air a) Stephen, a 5-7 guard who started the 2009 NCAA Championship game for the Louisville Cardinals, has signed a Big Ten Conference Tender to join the University of Wisconsin women's basketball team, head coach Lisa Stone announced today. After sitting out the 2009-10 season due to NCAA transfer rules, Stephen will have three years of eligibility remaining.
'We're very excited about the addition of Tiera Stephen to our program,' said Stone. '(She is) a young lady who has won state championships in high school, national championships in AAU and was in the national championship game as a freshman at Louisville. She is an outstanding student-athlete and will be a much-welcomed addition to our program for 2010 at point guard.'
A native of Dayton, Ohio, Stephen played in 37 games as a freshman at Louisville. She started the last 10 games of the season, aiding the Cardinals to an appearance in the NCAA championship game. She averaged 10.2 minutes, 0.9 points and 0.8 rebounds per game. Stephen dished out 1.4 assists per game and added 0.8 steals per game while turning the ball over only 1.2 times per game. She recorded single-game bests of five points, four rebounds, seven assists and four steals on the year.
Stephen played four years at Chaminade-Julienne Catholic High School for coach Marc Greenberg in Dayton. She earned all-state honors and was ranked as the sixth best player in the state of Ohio as a senior. Stephen was a three-time all-league honoree and aided her team to the state championship her freshman year. As a senior, she averaged 12 points, seven rebounds and eight assists per game.
The Badgers will graduate guards Rae Lin D'Alie and Teah Gant after the 2010 season, allowing Stephen to step into an open position.
'Tiera will be able to slide right in at point guard,' explains Stone. 'It will be nice to have her here for a year to learn the system. We're excited that she joins us because we recruited her out of high school.'
Tiera Stephen
5-7 Guard
Sophomore
Dayton, Ohio/Chaminade-Julienne Catholic
2008-09: Played in 37 games, starting 10 at point guard, for the Cardinals who advanced to the NCAA championship game ' started the NCAA championship game ' averaged 0.9 points and 0.8 rebounds per game ' averaged 10.2 minutes per game ' dished out 51 assists while tallying only 46 turnovers .. also added 28 steals
High School: Played four seasons at Chaminade-Julienne Catholic High School for coach Marc Greenberg...Earned all-state honors her senior year...Helped her team to the state championship her freshman year...Ranked as the sixth best player in the state of Ohio her senior year...Earned all-league honors her sophomore, junior and senior seasons...Averaged nine points, four rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.5 steals per game as a junior...Also lettered in track her freshman year...Averaged 12 points, seven rebounds and eight assists her senior year
Personal: Birthdate is March 5, 1990...Parents are Allen Stephen III and Venitra Crawford...Undecided on a major
