Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
UPDATE: Basketball Star Arrested For Pushing Girlfriend Down Stairs
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Aug 16, 2010
Modified Aug 16, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Aug 16, 2010
Modified Aug 16, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
[UPDATE BELOW]
Local basketball phenomenon Lance Stephenson—called the "next LeBron James" on his web series—was arrested yesterday for allegedly pushing his girlfriend and mother of their child down the stairs at her Brooklyn apartment. Stephenson, 19, was charged with assault, reckless endangerment and weapons possession, though it's unclear what the weapon was. His 21-year-old girlfriend, Jasmine Williams, is being treated for head and neck injuries at Coney Island hospital.
The second-round draft pick for the Indiana Pacers had originally been a first-round pick, but was dropped due to off-court issues, like a 2008 bust for sexually abusing a 17-year-old girl inside his alma mater, Lincoln High School. And though he became an all-time leading scorer in New York school history, he earned a rep as being difficult. His former coach said of Stephenson and Williams' relationship, "It's a shame because everything seemed to be going so well."
If Stephenson is found guilty on all counts of assault and menacing, he could face 12 years behind bars. However, it's unclear if the arrest will affect his three-year NBA contract, which guarantees him $700,000 in the first year. Pacers president Larry Bird told the Post, "We are currently in the process of gathering information and will have further comments as we learn more facts."
[UPDATE] Stephenson has been released from police custody, but court papers say he not only threw his girlfriend down the stairs, but "slammed" her head on them as well. The papers claim, "While (Williams) was laying at the bottom of said stairs the defendant picked up informant's head and slammed informant's head on the bottom step." Williams is now in a neck brace, and Stephenson is due back in court on October 19th.
Tagged
basketball
coney island
lance stephenson
larry bird
nba
pacers
push down stairs
stairs
Jaya Saxena
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Plainclothes ICE agent with long gun looked like mass shooter, Mayor Mamdani says
The mayor said his administration would review ICE and NYPD actions surrounding Thursday’s shooting.
By
Michael Sol Warren
Published Oct 11, 2026 at 1:49 p.m. ET
NJ Transit riders face 5 weeks of schedule disruptions starting Sunday
NJ Transit and Amtrak riders should prepare for cancellations, schedule changes and longer commutes as work continues on the new Portal North Bridge.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
NJ Transit riders face 5 weeks of schedule disruptions starting Sunday
NJ Transit and Amtrak riders should prepare for cancellations, schedule changes and longer commutes as work continues on the new Portal North Bridge.
By
Giulia Heyward
For a Democrat in a traditionally red NJ district, how to woo Republican voters
By
Mike Hayes
2 pedestrians killed in Bronx crash after driver ran red light, police say
By
Brittany Kriegstein
and
Ann Givens
Rain could put a damper on NYC’s long weekend. Here’s when it will clear.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .