Former NBA stars Michael Beasley and Lance Stephenson to face off in live 1-on-1 battle for $100K
Michael Beasley and Lance Stephenson are set to engage in a battle for the ages. On Friday 21 March, the former NBA stars revealed they were scheduled to face off in a 1-v-1 game for $100k. Stepheson is taking on Beasley in a 1-on-1 matchup, it has been announcedGetty “IT’S OFFICIAL,” both men shared on Instagram, courtesy of The Next Chapter. “ $100,000 1v1 Between Two legends.” According to the post, Beasley and Stephenson will square off on TNC 02, which goes live on June 6 on TNCLeague.com along with several other matchups. “These are two of the greatest isolation scorers the game has ever seen,” the post went on. “Creativity. Swagger. Buckets. Beasley and Lance are stepping into our arena for a battle that will make basketball history.” However, that wasn’t all. The former hardwood pros will be the official coaches of ‘Chapter 2 Season 2’ – a 20+ episode YouTube series featuring 24 elite players with a $50,000 prize pool. “Two teams, drafted and led by Beasley & Lance. Drama. Rivalries. And straight-up WAR,” the post continued. “We’ve spent 2 years building this stage with a POWERFUL audience that trusts the vision. Over 500 uploads. 20+ Seasons, 15+ cities finding talent, & Countless moments. And now, it’s time for the world to see what we’ve been creating. The players are ready. The stories are real. The stakes have NEVER been higher. “If there was ever a season to watch… IT’S THIS ONE. Beasley played 11 seasons in the NBA and was drafted by the Miami HeatGetty Stephenson briefly played with the Lakers alongside LeBronGetty “In collaboration with @wethemones & BornReady — buckle up. “This is The Next Chapter.” Basketball fans were stunned by the announcement and shared their reactions to social media. Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce liked the post on Stephenson’s Instagram account while Miami Heat legend Udonis Haslem posted three fire emojis. Former NFL wide receiver Brandon Marshall commented: “Man I’m trying to see them play 1 v 1.” “Game changer,” another fan wrote. “WOAH, didn’t see this coming,” a second added. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Next Chapter (@next22chapter) NBA's Greatest Greatest NBA players in the world right now – from Luka Doncic to Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama Best players in NBA history to never win a championship – James Harden and Carmelo Anthony to Allen Iverson and Karl Malone 10 richest owners in the NBA – family empires, media moguls and investment gurus Michael Jordan’s top 10 scoring games – counting down MJ’s most extraordinary totals The 34-year-old Stephenson last suited up in the NBA in 2022 for the Indiana Pacers, the team who drafted him in 2010 and where he first made a name for himself. The 6ft 5in second round pick was considered one of the Association’s best defenders in the mid 2010s, as well as its biggest nuisance. Stephenson became known for his unique play-style and larger than life personality. He famously blew in LeBron James‘ ear in Game 5 of the 2014 Eastern Conference Finals between the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers — one of his many fiery encounters with ‘The King’. The 36-year-old Beasley, on the other hand, was regarded as one of the best freshman college basketball players of the 2000s. He played college basketball for Kansas State University for one year before being selected with the 2nd pick in the 2008 NBA draft by the Miami Heat. The 6ft 9in forward spent 11 seasons with the Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets. More recently, Beasley has spent time playing in ChinaGetty His career averages are 12.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists per contest while shooting 46.5 percent from the field and 34.9 percent from the three-point range in 609 games. While respectable, he never lived up to his college hype and was involved in several off-court incidents. News of Stephenson and Beasley’s 1-vs-1 battle comes hot off the heels of Unrivaled’s own 1-on-1 tournament. The new women’s 3-vs-3 professional league, which took place during the WNBA offseason and included many of the W’s biggest stars including Angel Reese, also featured a 1-vs-1 tournament with a $200,000 grand prize. No. 1 seed and Unrivaled co-founder Napheesa Collier ended No. 8 seed Aaliyah Edwards’ Cinderella run in the final, bouncing back from a Game 1 defeat in the best-of-three-series to take Games 2 and 3 and claim the six-figure sum. 1-on-1 battles have been fabric of street basketball for decades. In recent years, there have been calls to introduce the popular format to NBA All-Star Weekend in a bid to inject some much-needed life into the annual exhibition. Perhaps Beasley and Stephenson’s battle will be prompt the NBA to take action. How to watch NBA in the UK
Michael Beasley and Lance Stephenson are set to engage in a battle for the ages.
On Friday 21 March, the former NBA stars revealed they were scheduled to face off in a 1-v-1 game for $100k.
“IT’S OFFICIAL,” both men shared on Instagram, courtesy of The Next Chapter.
