Stephens revved up for U of M alumni game
Hardaway, Jackson also among ex-Tigers expected to play today
D.J. Stephens was in a thankful mood Friday as he made the 9½-hour drive from his hometown of Killeen, Texas, to Memphis. The tumors doctors discovered recently in his mother’s body were benign, a relieved Stephens said over the phone, and he could now enjoy himself today in the first University of Memphis basketball alumni game at Elma Roane Fieldhouse.
“As of right now, she’s fine, so I’m OK,” said Stephens, the highflying former Memphis dunk machine and one of more than two dozen former Tigers standouts expected to play in the 6 p.m. game (streamed free at gotigersgo.com/collegesportslive/) benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the National Kidney Foundation.
“The past couple of days have been real nervewracking and frustrating and upsetting. But now I’m finding out that the tumors in her body weren’t cancerous, so I’m happy about that. And of course I’m happy to come back to Memphis and play in this alumni game. It’s the first one ever, so it’s kind of a big deal.”
That’s what event organizers and former Tigers guards Jeremy Hunt and Willie Kemp had hoped when they came up with the idea a few weeks ago. Once Hunt and Kemp got permission from the U of M to use Elma Roane Fieldhouse, the 2,500-seat oncampus arena that’s home to the Memphis women’s basketball team, tickets for the event sold out just 24 hours after they became available last Thursday.
Hunt hopes to make the game an annual event that could move to a bigger venue in years to come.
“I just thank God for Willie. He’s helped me put together a lot of this stuff and we’re in this together. It’s been a blessing to have him on board,” Hunt said. “It’s gonna be good to have everybody back in the same place.”
Said Stephens: “Just to be able to be back with all these guys and step on the floor in a place I’ve never played before, it’s gonna be a great feeling.”
Among the other former Tigers expected to play are Penny Hardaway, Antonio Anderson, Elliot Williams and Joe Jackson. Former U of M guards Elliot Perry and Detric Golden will be head coaches, and several other ex-Tigers, including Rodney Carney and Jimmie “Snap” Hunter, are expected to attend.
Ticket-holders should enter Elma Roane Fieldhouse through the main entrance on the southwest side of the building, adjacent to the Rose Theater. Doors open at 5 and parking will be available for $5 in the Zach Curlin Garage adjacent to the Fieldhouse on the south side.