Question: It will be great to see you back out on the floor this year. It feels like you were a guy that we just watched shoot threes on social media all of last year as, unfortunately, you were hurt. Now you get the chance to debut in front of the XFINITY Center crowd. You have to be chomping at the bit to get back out there.
Chance Stephens: It feels good to just play basketball again. I missed a whole year of it and I'm excited to play in front of the fans, get back out there, and show people what I can do. I had to keep my jump shot sharp while I was I was out though.
Q: Well, to keep your nickname, the sniper you've got to keep the jump shot sharp. When did you start getting called that?
CS: I was probably about ten years old, because I started shooting when I was about like six. Going with my dad we would shoot and go for 400 makes everywhere on the court: mid-Range and from three. I've been shooting for a long time. Around when I was 10 or 11, I just didn't miss. And then one of my uncles came up to me and he's like, "you should change your Instagram handle to 'ChanceTheSniper'." And I did it and have had it ever since.
Q: What is your best performance in one of those shooting drill sessions? Obviously we've seen the videos where you've hit 50 out of 51 or 100 out of 102. What's your best performance ever?
CS: I have an unseen 82 makes in a row from one spot on the court. I won't leave until I miss. I've also had 100 makes from seven spots around the three-point line. If I'm hot and in a rhythm, the managers, won't let me leave until I miss. But the best consecutive was 82 in a row.
Q: What makes a good three-point shooter? Because most of us, Chance, we can't do it as well as you can.
CS: You know, I think I think you can though. It's really just practice. It's just reps. Once you get the mechanics down, it's really just repping it out and being consistent with it. So be consistent with it and do it every day. You'll for sure see results.
Q: One of my favorite things on social media, obviously we would have rather you been able to play in the games last year, but the support you got from fans when you posted your videos was awesome. And all the Terp fans coming out giving you support. What did that mean to you to see that, even when you're out with an injury and hadn't even played for Maryland yet in your career?
CS: That was exciting to see. I know we had some struggles shooting last year. I just wanted to show the fans a little something. And I'm glad they liked it. So, I can't wait to get out there and show them in person.
Q: Part of your journey to Maryland involves Coach Cox who has been a friend of your family. You've known him for a while. He recruited you previously when you're coming out of high school. What makes him a reason why you ended up here and what makes him a really good coach?
CS: I think the relationship that we have together was what I was looking for when figuring out where I wanted to go to school. The relationship that I have with him, in particular, and the coaching staff overall. I think that's important for any athlete coming up. He pushes me. He tells me when I'm wrong; tells me when I'm right. But I think he wants the best for me. And that's what I look for in a coach.
Q: Who is the best shooter out of that group of your coaches?
CS: I got to go with Greg (Manning). He beat me a couple times.
Q: Yeah. How's Coach Willard?
CS: I've been seeing Coach Willard shoot on the other side of the court. It doesn't look bad. He's definitely hit some shots.
Q: We've talked about this backcourt, some of the physicality in it, and what all the guys bring. Discuss kind of playing with those guys a little bit. Obviously you saw some of them last year, but you have some new additions at the guard spot. Kind of describe their game a little bit.
CS: For all the new guards coming in, I think they're really shifty. They know how to play downhill and they can all create shots for other people. They're all dogs, too. So they get downhill, they look for their own shots, and they just make smart plays. I feel what all of us like on the court right now is the spacing. I feel like we can space the floor well this year. So it won't be as many double teams in the post which will help Ju out. That'll help Derik and all the bigs. I feel like we're a way better shooting team this year.
Q: As you play as a team in some of these summer workouts, has the chemistry between guys helped with that understanding of keeping the spacing right?
CS: When we've had good spacing, the paint has been wide open. The big men are going to be able to get whatever they want. I think our chemistry is going to be really important. Just how we all come together. I feel like that's going to be the most important part for our success.
Q: You're from Riverside, California - what's the thing you miss the most about home?
CS: Just the people. We just work out there. We've got a lot of people out there that are doing big things. That community of people is very special.
Q: We'll get you out here in a couple of rapid-fire questions. First of all, who's your favorite shooter to watch in all of basketball?
CS: My dad, Ben Stephens. [What makes him a good shooter?] Well, he taught me so there you go.
Q: The show that you're streaming right now or that you just finished.
CS: I've been watching PowerBook. They came out with a new season. So I've been watching that and my dad's show too - The Family business.
Q: The music you're listening to right now.
CS: My sister, Kennedy Stephens.
Q: What is in the back of your car right now?
CS: Back of my car? My car is in California so I don't have any idea.
Q: You've now been in College Park for a little bit. What's your favorite place to eat in or around College Park?
CS: Jerry's Seafood - it's in Bowie. That was the first place that I got some crab cakes from out here. Very good place to have some crab cakes.
