Alabama forward Jarin Stevenson is from Chapel Hill and his mom played for the Tar Heels. Many thought he'd follow in her footsteps, but when you understand his story you'll see for the Stevenson family home is where the basketball is.
Lena. There was definitely a buzz around Jarre Stevenson's locker yesterday, especially for a freshman. That's because a lot of Carolina fans have some interest in what he has to say. I mean, he's 6 ft 11, 5 star player, could really stretch the floor. Very talented and he's from Chapel Hill. But when you hear his story, you'll understand home is where the basketball is. Alabama by choice. Carolina by blood. I grew up there, uh, for a little bit, watched a few of their games. Um, they had a great school too, so I'm excited for it. Jaron Stevenson is a five star freshman forward for the Crimson Tide. I feel like I'm getting better. Um, yeah, just different things, handling the ball. Um, I feel like it's gonna show especially next year's stuff. Jaren mom Nicole played at Carolina from 1994 to 1998 that came in the year after they won the national championship. I played with Mary Jones, Charlotte Smith. Tracy Reed, Laquanda Barksdale, other great athletes like them. His father Gerard played at the University of Richmond and professionally all over the world. It's a unique opportunity where we can, uh I guess, show jam a lot of things that most parents can't. At sea. Fourth high school in Chatham County. About 30 minutes from UN C they were his coach. I think sometimes there might be a dynamic where it's hard to coach your own son. But he made that very easy on us. The easy choice would have been to take his first offer from the hometown team. But everything's relative when you grew up overseas, Jaren lived in South Korea from first to seventh grade. Uh My dad played there professionally professionally in the KBO. Um, yeah, it was a joy just going over there watching him play. Well, actually my mother's Korean and actually, I was born in Korea, I guess I sort of use that as opportunity to meet my Korean side of the family. So they were able to see Jerry and Jerry was able to go up around his Korean side of the family. And I, I thought it was a good, good experience for him that made choosing Alabama over Carolina strictly a basketball decision. There's a lot of Tar Heel fans in this area, but also in our family. Um, but when it came down to it, he felt like Alabama was a better fit, especially with him recla and he loved the coaches at both schools and he made his decision. And what are the chances that he'd be playing against North Carolina in the sweet 16? And as if Jared's story isn't cool enough. He could still be in high school right now. You just heard it, he reclassified to be part of the class of 2023 at Alabama. He told his parents he was ready for a bigger challenge, athletically and academically. I mean, back in South Korea, he was playing high school basket when he was in middle school. So he's used to playing against older guys. And Nicole told me that she will be silently clapping for UN C tonight but loudly cheering for Alabama. There is no doubt about who she's rooting for tonight guys. Oh, yeah, you got to go with your blood even if you bleed Carolina Blue. What a fun story that Walter live for us at crypto.com Arena. How exciting.