LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Jack Stephens Center has been home to countless memorable moments over the past two decades, and that legacy will be celebrated during a special Rivalry Day Basketball Doubleheader on Saturday, Dec. 6 — a night Trojan fans will not want to miss!
The Little Rock basketball teams will be in the spotlight as intense Natural State rivalries are renewed. The Trojan women will host Central Arkansas in the opening game at 6 p.m., part of the Governor's I-40 Showdown presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Arkansas. The Little Rock men will follow in the nightcap when they take on longtime rival Arkansas State at 8 p.m.
In addition to two in-state rivalry matchups on the hardwood, the evening will honor Trojan history and tradition in a host of special ways.
The Department of Athletics and Trojan fans will commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Jack Stephens Center,which opened in 2005, when Little Rock played the arena's inaugural game on Nov. 22 — a 61-57 win over Navy, the alma mater of Jack Stephens, whose generous leadership gift paved the way for the arena project to come to fruition.
Two Trojan all-time greats will also be honored, as the jerseys of Chastity Reed and James Scott — Little Rock's all-time leading scorers in women's and men's basketball, respectively — will be raised to the rafters of the Stephens Center in permanent recognition of their remarkable careers.
"Rivalry Day will be a truly special occasion for our university, our fans, and the entire Little Rock community," said Little Rock Director of Athletics Frank M. Cuervo. "It's a celebration of everything that makes Trojan Athletics so special — our rivalries, our tradition, and the people who have helped build this program into what it is today. Between honoring two of our all-time greats and celebrating 20 years at the Jack Stephens Center, December 6 promises to be one of the most memorable days in our history."
Tickets for Little Rock basketball, including the Rivalry Day Doubleheader, can be purchased at LRTrojans.com or by calling the Trojan Ticket Office at 501-916-3257.
The doubleheader will be a 'White Out' event, with the first 500 fans receiving a special edition 'White Out' T-shirt designed for the celebration. The first 1,000 fans will also receive a free Original Court Design Poster, and a commemorative 20th Anniversary program will be available.
James Scott, a native of Gary, Indiana, scored 1,731 points from 1987–91, appearing in 118 games for the Trojans. A standout from the day he set foot in Little Rock, Scott led the team in scoring as a freshman with 16 points per game, including a career-high 35 points against Georgia State. He also averaged 3.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists on his way to Trans America Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year honors as the Trojans advanced to the first round of the NIT.
Scott was an All-Conference performer and a three-time All-Conference Tournament Team honoree while leading Little Rock to two NCAA Tournament appearances. His 15.5 points per game as a senior led the Trojans. He was inducted into the Little Rock Trojan Athletics Hall of Fame in 2005. Today, he mentors youth and coaches high school basketball in his hometown.
Chastity Reed, the Trojans' all-time leading scorer and the only Little Rock player ever drafted into the WNBA, is now in her second season as an assistant coach for her alma mater. During her playing career from 2007–11, she led Little Rock to four conference championships, four postseason appearances, and a 99–31 overall record, including an astounding 53–4 mark at home.
Reed still holds 13 school records, including most points in a career (2,207), in a single game (43), and the highest single-season scoring average (24.8).
A 2010 AP All-America Honorable Mention honoree, Reed was a three-time First Team All-Sun Belt Conferenceand All-Tournament Team selection, as well as the 2011 Sun Belt Tournament MVP. She was drafted by the Tulsa Shock in the third round of the 2011 WNBA Draft and went on to enjoy an 11-year international playing career before returning to Little Rock in 2023. Reed was inducted into the Little Rock Trojan Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019.
Rivalry, tradition, and Trojan pride will take center stage on Dec. 6, marking a defining moment in the proud history of Little Rock Athletics and the Jack Stephens Center.
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