Vasquez to work out for Wizards
Maryland guard Greivis Vasquez will work out for the Washington Wizards Thursday -- part of his NBA tour to decide if he'll leave his name in the draft or return for his senior season in College Park.
The Wizards said the workout will last about an hour.
Also working out for the club tomorrow are three other guards -- LSU's Marcus Thornton, Kentucky's Jodie Meeks and Mississippi's David Huertas.
Like other NBA clubs, the Wizards may invite as many as 40 to 60 players to work out before the June 25 draft. So this should not be taken as a sign of serious interest. If Washington did select him, it wouldn't be in the first round. The Wizards hold the fifth pick.
Vasquez is also scheduled to attend a pre-draft combine in Chicago on May 27-31.
The 6-foot-6 guard from Caracas, Venezuela -- who led the Terps in scoring, assists and rebounds -- has not hired an agent and could still opt to return to school in the fall.
Comments
Jeff, I can't believe Greivis is going anywhere. I don't see how anyone can project him as a first round pick, even low first round. For one thing, there are too many talented guards out there (nearly in the ACC alone) who will be draft eligible for him to get taken that high. And then there the holes in his game that somewhat negate his considerable talent.
If he can't go high, I don't think Greivis will want to enter the draft. He'd want to improve his standing with a solid senior year or so I'm guessing.
For weeks we've been hearing that Lance Stephenson essentially Xed out Maryland at the same time he announced that St. Johns was no longer being considered. Of course, it was only supposed "sources close to him" who were saying that. Stephenson never personally rejected the Terps. Still, the rumors persist that he wants no part of College Park.
But then there's this just in from Darryl Maxie of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: "It looks like there’s a one-in-three chance that 6-6 Brooklyn guard Lance Stephenson will wind up at an ACC school, where Georgia Tech would have to contend with him. Maryland and Wake Forest are among the six schools that are in the running for him."
So what have you heard, Jeff? (This all gets a little fuzzy around the edges at times. LOL)
Posted by: Ken Francis | May 21, 2009 3:36 AM
Is Greivis dillusional? Doesn't he know he was not equal to the task during the ACC season and needs at least one more year and then there is no guarantee he is a pro guard? He has the size but is not a consistent shooter so will his passing and "D" be enough? He is not even close to Blake and Juan yet. Better he should wait.
Posted by: geoff smoot | May 21, 2009 6:31 AM
Maryland would be better without him.
Posted by: Richard L. Howard | May 21, 2009 7:06 AM
I saw your title, "Vasquez to work out for Wizards", and thought they were having open tryouts for ballboys next year.
Posted by: Rob K. | May 21, 2009 9:33 AM
Richard L. Howard, Care to explain why you think the Terps would be better without Greivis? I'm pretty sure that the vast majority of fans would disagree with you on that.
Yeah, he can play out of control sometimes, but he can also come up huge, like his triple-double against UNC. Yeah, he can be brash and cocky, but when he's on the floor he also brings a real presence to the team and energizes it.
If the Terps are without Greivis they lose a scoring threat that they can't easily replace. They would definitely suffer should he go pro and might struggle to get to .500 for the first time in more than a decade. So no, it's not not a good idea to want him gone.
Posted by: Ken Francis | May 21, 2009 10:28 AM
None of the mock drafts I've seen so far have Greivous in the 1st round. Since he's a solid second rounder he would do better going back. But we'll see.
Posted by: Adam B. | May 21, 2009 11:04 AM
Posters Rob K, Richard L. Howard and Geoff Smoot obviously do not understand the game of basketball or the transition from the college game to the NBA. Please, if you want to remove any doubt of your lack of knowledge, keep posting. GV will be sorely missed by the Terps and become a solid NBA player.
Good day,
Leslie Germaine
Posted by: Leslie Germaine | May 21, 2009 12:10 PM
Maryland would not have been in the tournament last year without Greivis.
The kid is a warrior. He brought it every night, including a triple double against UNC. If he does go to the NBA I wish him well but I hope he returns for his senior year.
Posted by: erizzo | May 21, 2009 1:37 PM
Vasquez has been good fo Md. basketball. They never would have made it to NCAAs without him. Wish him good luck with the tryouts.
Posted by: David | May 21, 2009 2:19 PM