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2018 NBA Draft: The NCAA’s Sweet 16 is Kendall Stephens’ time to shine

By Lucas Hogate

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 16: Mohamed Bamba #4 of the Texas Longhorns shoots a floater against the Nevada Wolf Pack during the game in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 16: Mohamed Bamba #4 of the Texas Longhorns shoots a floater against the Nevada Wolf Pack during the game in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
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As the Sweet 16 approaches, this is the perfect time for Kendall Stephens to make a name for himself ahead of the 2018 NBA Draft

After knocking off Texas and Cincinnati in the first two rounds of the tournament, the time to shine is now for the Nevada Wolfpack and Kendall Stephens.

With 16 teams remaining in the tournament, Kendall is the leader in 3-point shooting percentage (44.4%) and has been showing flashes of his deep NBA range all season long.

Kendall has already set the Mountain West single-season 3-point record, passing none other than Jimmer Fredette from BYU and it will be crucial for the Wolfpack that he continue adding to that total tonight against Loyola (Chicago).

As a 7 seed, Nevada comes into the game tonight favored by 1.5 points against the biggest Cinderella story of the tournament thus far.

Nevada’s average margin of victory in the tournament is three points so you can bet that this one will come down to the wire.

As a senior now, Stephens played his first three seasons of his collegiate career at Purdue and eventually transferred to Nevada just before his senior season. Kendall struggled in his final year at Purdue and eventually fell out of the rotation by season end after taking a brief leave of absence from the team.

The change of scenery seems to be just what Stephens needed as he has been averaging career highs across the board and NBA scouts are starting to take note. He has the length and range that is in high demand in the new era of the NBA and he has been putting it all on display in his senior season.

There is no better way to sky rocket up draft boards than to show out in the national spotlight of the NCAA Tournament. After pouring in 22 points in an overtime victory vs Texas, Kendall followed it up with 13 points against the two-seeded Cincinnati Bearcats.

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NBADraft.net has him going as early No. 37 to the Philadelphia 76ers and that number could continue to rise if he can keep it rolling tonight.

Nevada (29-7) squares off against Loyola (Chi) (30-5) at 6:07 CT Thursday night and you can bet that all eyes will be on Kendall Stephens to carry Nevada into the elite eight and beyond.