Nevada's Kendall Stephens to join Orlando Magic's summer league team

Chris Murray | Reno Gazette-Journal

Kendall Stephens will get his shot with an NBA team.

The Wolf Pack alum who set the Mountain West single-season record in 3-pointers made last year has agreed to join the Orlando Magic's summer league team.

“It’s a blessing," Stephens told the RGJ. "It’s been a different journey, especially being a transfer and stuff. It just feels good to know the work I put in and all of the preparation paid off. All you can ask for is an opportunity, so I just have to stay as ready as I can and prepare for the opportunity and attack it like that.”

Stephens had pre-draft workouts with the Lakers, Thunder, Celtics, Mavericks, Kings and Magic, which was his first team he worked out with June 10. Stephens also took part in a pre-draft secondary combine at the IMG Academy in Florida, where he interviewed with the Magic. Stephens said his best workouts came in Dallas and Orlando and he had a good feeling he would land with one of those teams.

Stephens said he learned a lot but going through those NBA workouts.

“You just learn that everybody can play," Stephens said. "It’s a grind, it’s a battle, but it’s fun. It’s a good challenge, especially given the level they’re at. It’s really early, but it was a great experience to see the facilities and meet executives and scouts and coaches. Meeting some of the players who were playing, it was nice to talk to some of them. It was a great experience to get in the building and get a little taste of what it’s like. Now that I’ve been through it, I’m going to get to work and focus on getting a job.”

A 6-foot-7, 205-pound guard, Stephens played one year at Nevada after transferring in from Purdue. Stephens averaged 13.1 points and 2.1 rebounds per game for the Wolf Pack, hitting 44.3 percent of his shots, including 42.2 percent from beyond the arc.

Stephens' length and NBA shooting range was his biggest draw. The 23-year-old sank 126 3-pointers in 2017-18, setting a Wolf Pack and MW single-season record, passing BYU's Jimmer Fredette. Stephens' 126 3-pointers ranked fifth in the nation. Stephens said his one year at Nevada helped pave the way for this summer league opportunity.

“I thought it was amazing," Stephens said. "Winning always helps, but the way we won and the system that we were in, the coaching staff was great at preparing me. They knew what every team’s scheme and sets were and picking up the NBA game won’t be as hard as I think other people will face."

Stephens helped the Wolf Pack reach the second Sweet 16 in school history. He scored a team-high 21 points in a first-round win over Texas and added 13 in a second-round win over Cincinnati. Stephens played the last month of the season with an injury to his shooting wrist that required surgery after the year, which delayed how quickly he could get into pre-draft full-contact workouts. But Stephens said his wrist is basically 100 percent.

“It was a little bit of a setback, but that’s part of the game," Stephens said. "At this level, nobody is going to feel bad for you. I was fortunate enough it was early in the process that I got some time to prepare myself still. I’m just blessed to be walking into this organization and having an opportunity. The biggest thing is to take advantage of it.”

Stephens is looking to become the second member of his family to make an NBA roster. His father, Everette, who also played at Purdue in college, was a second-round pick (31st overall) by the Philadelphia 76ers in 1988. The elder Stephens played 38 games in the NBA over two seasons before an overseas career.

Stephens was the only Wolf Pack player expected to draw interest from NBA teams this offseason after Caleb Martin, Cody Martin and Jordan Caroline tested the NBA draft waters before pulling their names to return to school for their senior seasons.

The NBA Summer League in Las Vegas runs July 6-17 and includes 82 games featuring all 30 NBA teams. Stephens said he wants to prove he can help an NBA team.

“I just want to show that I can play at that level," Stephens said. "I want to show what I can do. My shooting, my high IQ, finding a niche. That’s what teams are looking for. Somebody who knows their role and does it to the best of their ability and is professional in doing it. If I have that approach and continue to work like that, I think I’ll be good whether it’s with Orlando or not. Staying ready for whatever might pop up.”