Artese Stapleton is EIU’s two-way senior guard who can score, disrupt passing lanes, and steady an offense
In the 2024-25 season, Stapleton was a high-impact two-way starter for Eastern Illinois, averaging 11.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.04 steals per game while leading the OVC in steals despite missing time. He finished strong with back-to-back 20-point games and scored in double figures 17 times, showing real late-season momentum. What makes him valuable is the blend of defensive playmaking, shot creation and veteran guard poise; he also brings experience from multiple Division I stops and a season-ending injury in 2023-24 that makes durability worth monitoring.[1][4][8][12][17]
