Lamar Stevens Bio
Lamar Brandon Stevens, born on July 9, 1997, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is an American professional basketball player who competes internationally for Paris Basketball in both the LNB Élite and the EuroLeague. Standing 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) and weighing 230 lb (104 kg), Stevens plays the small forward and power forward positions, and he currently wears jersey number 9 for his club. He has built a professional career that spans the NBA, the NBA G League, and top European competition, following a distinguished college tenure at Penn State.
After going undrafted in the 2020 NBA draft, Stevens entered the professional ranks and steadily worked his way across multiple organizations, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies, and the Motor City Cruise, before taking his game abroad. Known for his scoring touch and rebounding ability, he is also the author of a children’s book inspired by his college journey, reflecting a broader interest in education and community impact beyond the court.
Early Life and Background
Lamar Brandon Stevens was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where basketball has long been woven into the city’s culture. He attended The Haverford School in Haverford Township for his sophomore and junior years, where he earned All-State and All-District honors in back-to-back seasons while leading the program to two straight state championship runs. These early competitive experiences helped shape his game and reputation as a forward with scoring instincts and a strong work ethic.
For his senior year, Stevens transferred to Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia, where he played alongside future Penn State teammates Tony Carr and Nazeer Bostick. He was once again named to All-State and All-District teams, in addition to All-Philadelphia, and capped the season by scoring 20 points in a state championship victory. Roman Catholic finished ranked number one in Pennsylvania and among the top 15 nationally, according to MaxPreps, and Stevens emerged from the program as a consensus high-major recruit.
Following his senior season, Stevens was ranked 100th on ESPN’s Top 100 recruits of 2016 and was the third-ranked player overall in Pennsylvania. His combination of size, scoring, and maturity made him one of the most sought-after prospects in his class, ultimately leading him to commit to Penn State to continue his development at the collegiate level.
Path to Basketball
Stevens committed to the Penn State Nittany Lions, where he would play from 2016 through 2020, and he quickly established himself as a foundational piece of the program. During his freshman season, he started all 33 games and was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week multiple times alongside teammate Tony Carr. His first-year averages exceeded 12 points per game, and he earned a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team, signaling the beginning of a remarkable college trajectory.
As a sophomore in 2017–18, Stevens elevated his production, averaging 15.5 points and 5.9 rebounds per game while helping the Nittany Lions post a 26–13 overall record. He scored a season-high 30 points on January 5, 2018, against Northwestern, and later led Penn State to the NIT championship, where he was named Most Outstanding Player of the tournament. These performances positioned him as one of the premier forwards in the Big Ten Conference.
After testing the draft waters following his junior year and ultimately returning to Penn State, Stevens completed his senior season as one of the most decorated scorers in program history. On February 1, 2020, he became only the third player in school history to surpass 2,000 career points, finishing with 2,207 total points and ranking as the second all-time leading scorer at Penn State, just seven shy of Talor Battle’s school record.
Lamar Stevens Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
After going undrafted in the 2020 NBA draft, Stevens signed a two-way contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers on November 28, 2020, and split his first professional season between the Cavaliers and their G League affiliate, the Canton Charge. He made his NBA debut on December 28, 2020, in a 118–94 win over the Philadelphia 76ers, recording two points and two rebounds in five minutes of action.
Stevens quickly showed a flair for the dramatic in his rookie season. On February 23, 2021, he scored eight points, including the game-winner, in a 112–111 victory over the Atlanta Hawks, a performance that helped solidify his standing within the Cavaliers organization. On April 14, 2021, his strong play was rewarded with a multi-year contract, marking the beginning of a longer-term commitment from Cleveland.
Cleveland Cavaliers Breakthrough (2021–2023)
Stevens continued to develop with the Cavaliers and became a reliable rotation piece over the following seasons. On January 12, 2022, he set a then career-high of 23 points in a 111–91 win over the Utah Jazz, demonstrating his scoring potential and ability to contribute efficiently on both ends of the floor. His two-way play and positional versatility made him a valuable complement to Cleveland’s young core.
On July 6, 2023, Stevens was traded to the San Antonio Spurs as part of a three-team deal involving the Miami Heat and the Cleveland Cavaliers, and he was subsequently waived on July 17. Despite the abrupt end to his time in Cleveland, his three seasons with the organization had firmly established him as a rotation-caliber NBA forward.
Boston Celtics Era (2023–2024)
On September 26, 2023, Stevens signed with the Boston Celtics, joining a contender with championship aspirations. He appeared in 19 of 50 games with the Celtics, averaging 2.8 points and 1.6 rebounds per game in a limited role. Due to a rash of injuries at the center position, Stevens was inserted into the starting lineup on December 15, 2023, and logged 8 points and 3 rebounds in a 128–111 victory over the Orlando Magic.
Memphis Grizzlies Era (2024)
On February 7, 2024, the Celtics traded Stevens and two second-round picks to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Xavier Tillman, opening a new chapter in his career. The trade moved him to a Western Conference team looking to add depth and physicality to its frontcourt rotation.
Motor City Cruise Era (2024–2025)
On September 30, 2024, Stevens signed with the Detroit Pistons, but he was waived on October 17, 2024. On October 29, 2024, he joined the Motor City Cruise, the Pistons’ NBA G League affiliate, where he worked to re-establish his form and showcase his skills for another opportunity at the NBA level.
Second Stint with Grizzlies (2025)
On February 21, 2025, Stevens signed a 10-day contract with the Memphis Grizzlies, returning to the franchise that had previously acquired him. After completing a second 10-day deal, he signed a standard NBA contract on March 13, 2025, to remain with the Grizzlies for the remainder of the 2024–25 season. On April 13, 2025, he erupted for a career-high 31 points as Memphis clinched a 132–97 win over the Dallas Mavericks in the regular season finale.
Paris Basketball Era (2025–Present)
On July 22, 2025, Stevens signed with Paris Basketball of the LNB Pro A, taking his career overseas to compete in both the LNB Élite and the EuroLeague. The move represents a significant new chapter, exposing him to a higher level of international competition and a leading role within a rising European program. He continues to wear jersey number 9 for the club.
Driving Style and Strengths
Stevens is a versatile forward whose game is built on scoring efficiency, rebounding, and physical interior play. His height and frame allow him to compete at both the small forward and power forward positions, and he has shown the ability to stretch the floor while also finishing through contact. Throughout his career, he has been valued for his professionalism, motor, and willingness to embrace roles that emphasize defense, rebounding, and timely scoring.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature career moments, Stevens hit a game-winning shot against the Atlanta Hawks as a rookie and set a then career-high of 23 points against the Utah Jazz during the 2021–22 season. He later posted a new career-high of 31 points against the Dallas Mavericks in April 2025, and he joined Penn State’s 2,000-point club as a senior, finishing as the second all-time leading scorer in program history.
Lamar Stevens Career Wins
Stevens’s competitive record includes notable achievements at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels. He won two straight state championship runs at The Haverford School, captured a Pennsylvania state title at Roman Catholic High School, and was a key contributor to Penn State’s NIT championship in 2018, where he was also named tournament MVP.
College Highlights
During his four-year career at Penn State, Stevens was a two-time First-team All-Big Ten selection (2019, 2020) and a member of the Big Ten All-Freshman Team in 2017. He was a central figure in the NIT championship run of 2018, earning Most Outstanding Player honors, and he finished his career as the second all-time leading scorer in school history with 2,207 points.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond team achievements, Stevens posted multiple All-State, All-District, and All-Philadelphia selections during his high school career. He reached his professional career high of 31 points with the Memphis Grizzlies in April 2025 and made his first NBA start with the Boston Celtics in December 2023, both milestones underscoring his continued growth as a professional player.
Lamar Stevens Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Lamar Brandon Stevens was raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a city with a deep basketball tradition. Specific details about his parents and immediate family are not publicly documented in verified sources.
Personal Life
Stevens authored the children’s book Lamar’s Climb — A Journey to Happy Valley, which teaches geography based on his college experience and involves people with special needs in the creative process. The book was distributed at Penn State games, reflecting his commitment to community engagement and education beyond basketball.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year has been a defining stretch for Stevens, featuring stints in both the NBA G League and the NBA before his move abroad. After joining the Motor City Cruise in October 2024, he returned to the Memphis Grizzlies on a 10-day contract in February 2025, eventually converting to a standard NBA deal in March and finishing the 2024–25 NBA season with the club.
His most memorable performance of the year came on April 13, 2025, when he scored a career-high 31 points in Memphis’s 132–97 regular season finale win over the Dallas Mavericks. The performance capped a productive late-season stretch and reinforced his value as a reliable scoring option off the bench.
On July 22, 2025, Stevens signed with Paris Basketball, opening a new chapter in the LNB Élite and the EuroLeague. His role with Paris is expected to provide him with a featured offensive role, consistent playing time, and exposure to elite European competition as he continues to build on his momentum from the 2024–25 NBA season.