Lance Stephenson is a one and done. We know that.

He's a top 10 recruit. We know that.

So why is he still unsigned in April?

If you look at the top 10 recruits from every year since 2004, and focus just on the perimeter players, you will see no one on that list that did not become either a very good collegiate player, or a straight to the NBA story. No one. For that reason alone, Stephenson remaining unsigned this late is a shock.

He has the talent to vault an average program into the NCAA tournament, even if only for a year. A Sweet 16 level team can talk Final Four if Lance were to agree to play on the wing for them. There are 343 D-1 men's teams. Stephenson could probably start at 330 of them right now.

So why hasn't he signed anywhere? Why aren't coaches beating down his door?

Some say it has to do with the potential criminal charges pending against him, but I doubt that because worse offenders have signed before. Some say its because he's a cancer in the lockerroom, but I doubt that because there are enough coaches with seats ranging from warm to scorching who could use an impact player (and the subsequent NCAA tournament birth) to hold off the masses for another year or two.

No, this is something else. It has to be. There has to be a reason that nobody will take a chance on this kid. Everyone that has read my blog in the past can see that I like, no, love this kid's game. He can flat out play. Coaches can see that. If Herb Pope can get multiple chances (just do a search to see the issues he had - and he has still had interest from programs), then it truly surprises me that Lance hasn't gotten a shot with anyone.

For a program like Rutgers or St. John's, he could vault them from Big East doormat to contender, if only for a year. At Maryland, Miami or Georgia Tech, maybe they get into the mix to do some damage in the ACC. Seriously, I'm somewhat surprised a school like K-State hasn't made a run at him. That's not a dig at K-State, but he could vault them into the top of the Big XII. Lance would give them a chance to compete with KU, Texas and Oklahoma.

Schools from smaller conferences (Conference USA, MAC, Mountain West) would have a chance to absolutely dominate their league, and maybe make a run in March. Imagine a team like UAB or Nevada with a surefire NBA lottery pick added to their team.

Nope, this is something else.

Here's my guess, and I do emphasize guess.

Stephenson won't be eligible, and it has nothing to do with grades. The NCAA has decided to make an example out of him for being promoted throughout high school. I say example, because this has been happening for years. Sean Dockery (Duke) and Will Bynum (Georgia Tech) were both featured in a TV show (along with Eddy Curry) about Chicago area high school players. Other players have been featured and hyped for years.

The one and done phenomenon has made the student athlete moniker a sham. The first blow was dealt last year when Brandon Jennings outright skipped college to go to Europe. Then this April a kid left high school to pursue a career in Europe before entering the NBA draft in two years.

So the NCAA has decided to make a stand the only way they can. Eligibility. Taking away amateur status for anyone that has been promoted outside their system. Their investigators have put out the word that Stephenson won't be cleared to compete as an amateur, meaning there is no sense in even making a run at him, even if you are desperate because he will never suit up for you.

That's just my guess. I am interested to see how this plays out.