After committing to the team last fall, Devon Stedman was set to join the Carleton Ravens men’s basketball team this season before he switched to Dalhousie University after his year was derailed by injuries.
Recognized as one of the top recruits in the country heading into the season, Stedman said he started playing competitive basketball at the age of 10 for the Ontario Basketball Association’s Nepean Bobcats.
With a high basketball I.Q. and an above-average jump shot for his size and position, Stedman played what is known in basketball as a “stretch-4,” a power forward who can keep defending big men out on the perimeter with his shooting prowess.
A smart young player, it wasn’t long before Stedman’s name was thrown around with other top Canadian big men in his age group.
Injuries plagued him, however.
Just before the provincial championships in 2007, Stedman broke his angle. He returned for his Grade 11 season, only to tear his meniscus during practice. Minor surgery and extensive rehab followed, but Stedman persevered and returned to the court.
“I’ve been through a lot with the injuries, and it’s been frustrating, but getting through it teaches you how to deal with things — frustrating things like using crutches for six weeks — but it made me a stronger person,” Stedman said.
In the summer of 2009, Stedman blew out his ACL, forcing him to undergo major surgery. While rehabbing, the Ottawa, Ont. native committed to Carleton, and arrived this summer to practice with the team. During practices, however, things didn’t feel right.
“There were little tweaks in my knee every time I was out there, and I didn’t feel I was fully healed,” Stedman said.
Then, Stedman had to make a choice.
Deciding that the time was not yet right for him to return to the game, Stedman de-committed from Carleton to attend Dalhousie University in Halifax, N.S. for business management.
“It was a brutal decision. Basketball is basically what I’ve been doing for my whole life,” he said.
Although leaving was hard, Stedman said he has enjoyed his chance to be just a normal student for at least a year.
“Having a year off without the all the extra responsibilities and commitments has been nice in ways, but I definitely miss basketball,” he said.
At this point, Stedman said he is unsure whether he will return to competitive basketball or not. He said he sees himself possibly getting into business at one point and though his playing days might be over, he said one thing is certain.
“I’m sure basketball will end up being a part of my life, whether I’m playing or whatever I’m doing, it’ll always be around,” he said.
Should he decide to come back to the game, Stedman will have another tough choice ahead of him.
“If I do play again, then it’s a question of, ‘Do I want to leave Dal?’ ” Stedman said. “I’ve really enjoyed the East coast and all the people I’ve met here, [so] I don’t know.”