Everette Stephens on playing for the Newcastle Falcons and Geelong Supercats during the 1990s
June 17, 2023
Everette Stephens
- Nationality: USA
- Date of Birth: 21/10/66
- Place of Birth: Evanston, Illinois (USA)
- Position: PG
- Height (CM): 190
- Weight (KG): 82
- Junior Assoc: None
- College: Purdue (1984–1988)
- NBL DEBUT: 3/04/92
- AGE AT DEBUT: 25
- LAST NBL GAME: 24/09/94
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 27
- NBL History: Newcastle 1993-94 | Geelong 1994
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Everette Stephens was born in Evanston, Illinois (USA) where he attended Evanston Township High School.
FAMILY: Everette’s son Kendall Stephens also played 39 games in the NBL.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Everette Stephens made his NBL debut with the Newcastle Falcons at 25 years of age. He scored 22 points in his first game.
After taking over from coach Ken Cole mid-season in 1991, head coach Tom Wiseman was able to redesign the Falcons lineup. Newcastle utilised three imports the season prior (Jerry Everett, Troy Truvillion, James Bullock) but having won only five games, Wiseman chose to go in a different direction, adding former NBA players Terry Dozier (via Geelong) and Everette Stephens.
The only major change to the roster saw the Falcons swap Peter Harvey (to Gold Coast) for Paul Kuiper (via Gold Coast) and a young local Shawn Dennis join the squad as a rookie.
Everette Stephens (23.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 2.1 steals, and 1.3 blocks) and Terry Dozier (22.8 points, 11.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists 1.1 steals, and 1.8 blocks) delivered a amazing season statistically, filling the stats sheet in all categories. Michael Johnson (20.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.1 assists) and 39 year old Al Green (18.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.1 steals) put up big numbers as well but once it got to the remaining roster there was little left in the tank. Injuries saw Kuiper (7 games) and Jason Joynes (10 games) play less than half the season and the remainder of the Newcastle bench just simply wasn’t up to NBL standards.
In his first full season as coach, Wiseman was able to improve the team result from 5 wins to 9 wins, but this saw minimal improvement in the standings with Newcastle improving from bottom of the ladder to second from the bottom as a result.
1993
After struggling to compete in the NBL for four straight seasons, Wiseman was able to retain the majority of his core roster for his second full season as head coach, which delivered the Falcons most successful season since 1985.
The key to the Falcon’s success was being able to retain Terry Dozier (21.9 points, 11.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1 steals, 1.2 blocks) and Everette Stephens (21.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 5.5 assists 1.5 steals), who had developed into one of the league’s most potent import duos. A healthy Paul Kuiper (11.2 points, 7 rebounds, and 0.2 assists) who had managed to play in only a third of the prior season made a big difference and ever reliable Michael Johnson (20.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1 steals) firing away saw Newcastle win four of their first five games.
They would finish the season with a record of 15-11 which was equal with Illawarra Hawks but thanks to a +9 points percentage in their head to head with the Hawks, they would finish in fifth place on the ladder.
Newcastle faced Brisbane in the Quarter-finals but the strength of their stars Leroy Loggins, Dave Colbert, Andre Moore and Shane Heal proved too difficult in the postseason. Brisbane would win games one (125-99) and two (122-118) ending the Falcons season.
GEELONG SUPERCATS
1994
The 1994 season saw Stephens averaged 19.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists as the Supercats finished the regular season with a 7-19 record.
Everette Stephens played three seasons in the NBL, playing for both the Newcastle Falcons and the Geelong Supercats. He averaged 21.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 5.2 assists in 77 NBL games.
CAREER RANKINGS:
– 34th in steals per game.
HIGHLIGHTS:
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 27 | Geelong | 7-19 (11) | 25 | 1,032.0 | 495 | 94 | 115 | 22 | 72 | 72 | 26 | 105 | 83 | 169 | 318 | 53% | 40 | 92 | 43% | 117 | 143 | 82% | 64% | 59% | 32 |
| 1993 | 27 | Newcastle | 15-11 (5) | 28 | 1,151.0 | 611 | 92 | 153 | 22 | 70 | 41 | 22 | 98 | 76 | 218 | 463 | 47% | 38 | 107 | 36% | 137 | 167 | 82% | 56% | 51% | 36 |
| 1992 | 25 | Newcastle | 9-15 (12) | 24 | 986.0 | 571 | 113 | 135 | 27 | 86 | 51 | 31 | 106 | 90 | 206 | 418 | 49% | 49 | 123 | 40% | 110 | 135 | 81% | 59% | 55% | 38 | Totals | 77 | 3169 | 1677 | 299 | 403 | 71 | 228 | 164 | 79 | 309 | 249 | 593 | 1199 | 49.5% | 127 | 322 | 39.4% | 364 | 445 | 81.8% | 60% | 55% | 38 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 27 | Geelong | 7-19 (11) | 25 | 41.3 | 19.8 | 3.8 | 4.6 | 0.9 | 2.9 | 2.9 | 1.0 | 4.2 | 3.3 | 6.8 | 12.7 | 53% | 1.6 | 3.7 | 43% | 4.7 | 5.7 | 82% | 64% | 59% | 32 |
| 1993 | 27 | Newcastle | 15-11 (5) | 28 | 41.1 | 21.8 | 3.3 | 5.5 | 0.8 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 3.5 | 2.7 | 7.8 | 16.5 | 47% | 1.4 | 3.8 | 36% | 4.9 | 6.0 | 82% | 56% | 51% | 36 |
| 1992 | 25 | Newcastle | 9-15 (12) | 24 | 41.1 | 23.8 | 4.7 | 5.6 | 1.1 | 3.6 | 2.1 | 1.3 | 4.4 | 3.8 | 8.6 | 17.4 | 49% | 2.0 | 5.1 | 40% | 4.6 | 5.6 | 81% | 59% | 55% | 38 | Total | 77 | 41.2 | 21.8 | 3.9 | 5.2 | 0.9 | 3.0 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 4.0 | 3.2 | 7.7 | 15.6 | 49.5% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 39.4% | 1.6 | 4.2 | 81.8% | 60% | 55% | 38 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 38 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 5 | 10 | 0 |
|---|
NBA EXPERIENCE
Everette Stephens was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers with pick #31 in the 1988 NBA Draft.
Stephens played in two NBA seasons for the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks. In his NBA career, Stephens played in 38 games and scored a total of 71 points.
Stephens spent a number of seasons playing in the NBAs development league, the CBA before, during and after his NBA career ended. This included stints with the Cedar Rapids Silver Bullets (1989–1990), Rockford Lightning (1991–1992), Fargo-Moorhead Fever (1992) and La Crosse Catbirds (1992–1993).
Everette Stephens averaged 13.1 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game in his 144-game career in the CBA which began in 1989 season and finished in 1992. He also won the 1992 Long Distance Shootout Contest.
Stephens played 38 games in the NBA. He averaged 1.9 points, 0.6 rebounds, and 1 assists per game over his NBA career.
NBA TRANSACTIONS:
- November 4, 1983: Traded by the San Antonio Spurs (as a future 1988 2nd round draft pick) to the Philadelphia 76ers for Mark McNamara.
-
June 28, 1988: Drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2nd round (31st pick) of the 1988 NBA Draft.
-
October 4, 1988: Traded by the Philadelphia 76ers to the Indiana Pacers for Ron Anderson.
-
October 31, 1989: Waived by the Indiana Pacers.
-
February 27, 1991: Signed a 10-day contract with the Milwaukee Bucks.
| Season | Team | PTS | AST | STL | BLK | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 96% | 98% | 98% | 94% | ||||||
| 2 | 1 | 38 | 11 | 8 | 5 | ||||||
| Total | 593 | 1199 | 49.5% | 127 | 322 | 39.4% |
NBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990-91 | 24 | Milwaukee | PG | 3 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 77% | 67% | |||
| 1988-89 | 22 | Indiana | PG | 35 | 0 | 209 | 65 | 23 | 37 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 4 | 29 | 22 | 23 | 72 | 2 | 10 | 17 | 22 | 40% | 33% | Total | 38 | 0 | 215 | 71 | 23 | 39 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 4 | 29 | 22 | 25 | 75 | 33% | 2 | 10 | 20% | 19 | 24 | 79% |
NBA PER GAME STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990-91 | 24 | Milwaukee | PG | 3 | 0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 67% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 77% | 67% | ||
| 1988-89 | 22 | Indiana | PG | 35 | 0 | 6.0 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 2.1 | 32% | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 40% | 33% | Total | 38 | 0 | 5.7 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 2.0 | 33% | 0.1 | 0.3 | 20% | 0.5 | 0.6 | 79% |
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Cyprus - Omonia (1995–1997) | France - Paris SG (1999) | Germany - Bayreuth (1995–1996) | Spain - Menorca (1997–1998), Ourense (1998–1999) | Venezuela - Marinos de Oriente (1999)
Everette Stephens played overseas in Germany, Cyprus, Spain, France, and Venezuela during the later stages of his professional career.
In 1995–96, Stephens played in Germany with Bayreuth. Stephens also appeared for Omonia in European competition, recording 24 points, two rebounds, five assists and three steals in 39 minutes against Hapoel Holon on September 13, 1995 in the European Cup Radivoj Korac.
In the Korac Cup on November 4, 1996, he scored 23 points with three rebounds, four assists and three steals against Limoges, with Omonia’s squad in those competitions featuring teammates such as Daryl Conway Battles, Georgios Karampatakis and Brandon Brantley.
Stephens moved to Spain for the 1997–98 Liga LEB season with Menorca Bàsquet, where he scored 330 points across 14 games at 23.6 points per game, and he played alongside teammates including Patricio Reynés and Lamont Randolph under coach José Luis Oliete.
He returned to Spain with Club Ourense Baloncesto in 1998–99, a season in which Ourense finished sixth in the Liga LEB regular-season standings at 14–12, and he was replaced on the roster in February 1999 by Curtis Staples.
Stephens then finished the 1998–99 season in France with Paris SG, joining the team late in the year alongside fellow import Brad Sellers as the club finished fifth, with Laurent Sciarra leading the league in assists and Paris SG holding the competition’s best defensive record at 65.2 points allowed per game. His final overseas stint came in 1999 with Venezuela’s Marinos de Oriente.
COLLEGE
Everette Stephens, who was born in Evanston, Illinois, suited up for Purdue from 1984–85 through 1987–88 under head coach Gene Keady, playing 119 games in a four-year career that ended with career averages of 8.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game while helping Purdue reach the NCAA tournament three times during his tenure.
As a freshman, Everette Stephens appeared in 25 games and averaged 2.3 points, 0.7 rebounds and 1 assists, as Purdue finished 20–9 overall (11–7 Big Ten), earned an at-large NCAA tournament bid as a No. 6 seed in the Southeast Region, and lost 59–58 to Auburn in the opening round to close the season.
As a sophomore Stephens boosted his numbers to 6.6 points, 1.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists, appearing in 31 games, during a 22–10 season (11–7 Big Ten) that again put Purdue in the NCAA tournament as a No. 6 seed in the Southeast Region, where the Boilermakers lost 94–87 in double overtime to LSU in a first-round game played on LSU’s home floor.
In his junior year, Stephens appeared in 30 games and averaged 12 points, 2.6 rebounds and 6.3 assists, as Purdue went 25–5 overall (15–3 Big Ten), finished as Big Ten regular-season co-champions, and reached the second round of the NCAA tournament before its season ended there, with Stephens also posting 190 assists across the season as part of a year that placed him among Purdue’s single-season assist leaders.
During his senior year, Stephens appeared in 33 games and averaged 12.8 points, 3 rebounds and 5.5 assists, as Purdue surged to a 29–4 record (16–2 Big Ten), won the Big Ten championship by three games, earned a No. 1 seed in the Midwest Region, and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA tournament to finish the season ranked third in the final AP poll.
Stephens would rank in the top 10 in assists, steals and blocks during his junior and senior seasons in the Big Ten, and across his Purdue career he totaled 1,044 points and 481 assists (tied for third on Purdue’s career assists list), along with 161 steals and 94 blocks, finishing as a career 49.9% shooter from the field and 44.7% from three-point range while maintaining his profile as a high-assist guard who also produced unusual shot-blocking numbers for his position.
AWARDS
- 1x All-NBL Third Team
COACHING HISTORY
Stephens' son Kendall played basketball at St. Charles East High School in suburban Chicago and played College Basketball at Purdue University and University of Nevada, ReNo. Stephens served as an assistant coach for his son's team.
Kendall would later sign with NBL team the South East Melbourne Phoenix in 2019.
Related
HAVE MORE INFORMATION ON THIS PLAYER?
Whilst we try to source as much information as we can for every player who has ever played in the NBL some information on a player profile may be missing. If you have additional information on a player you'd like us to add to a profile, please send it to us using the enquiry form below.
Submissions are then sent to info@aussiehoopla.com