Contenders for commit No. 2
Thanks to last week’s commitment from Terrence Jennings, Gary Williams has a potentially interesting dilemma on his hands.
With the impending graduations of James Gist and Bambale Osby, Maryland will have three scholarships to give for the class of 2008. (Previously I wrote there were just two available. That number is actually three. Thanks to blog reader Steve for the correction).
Now, a lot could change that number. Guys transfer, academic issues pop up, players turn pro, etc… But let’s assume that there are just three available. Jennings claimed one. So which recruit will stake claim to the second?
Here’s a look at four major contenders:
Maryland has already lost two in-state kids in 2008, albeit to another nearby program. Henry Sims of Mount St. Joseph and Chris Braswell of DeMatha Catholic are both headed to Georgetown. Keeping Baltimore players like Mosley home is crucial. And with a loaded 2009 class in the city, it certainly won’t hurt having a guy like Mosley on the roster.
Young has several mid-majors still under consideration (Wichita State, College of Charleston, Butler), but some bigger programs like Florida State, Clemson and Purdue have come calling as well.
Ultimately, Young may have to decide whether he wants to be ‘the man’ at some of the smaller schools on his list, or compete on a bigger stage but shoulder less responsibility – at least initially.
Turner is reportedly a lights-out shooter -- something the Terps could certainly use. Memphis seems to be the main competition for Turner’s services. Even if Maryland somehow did have more than three scholarships to use, I’d be surprised if they took both Mosley and Turner. It’s probably one or the other.
Came on strong as a junior. Solid body built to take and absorb contact. Will mix it up and get his nose dirty. One of those kids that coaches love to throw into the mix and let him do his thing. Power forward with strength. Could expand skill set. Should be recruited by elite mids and many high-majors.
Those are the four contenders for Maryland's final two 2008 scholarships. There could be two future Terps on that list. But which of those four players would you want most? Click here to cast your vote in a baltimoresun.com poll.
Comments
Just curious who is in the "loaded" class of 2009 from Baltimore. Are the Calvert Hall kids Graham and Wise considered top recruits?
Posted by: CHC | August 8, 2007 2:41 PM
I would absolutely take Quintrell Thomas and run if he still wanted to come to Maryland. You can never have enough front court depth and we could then just bring in a guard from the loaded 2009 class.
Posted by: Hogie | August 8, 2007 2:59 PM
Is the offer to Young a sign that things may not be going well with Thomas or Mosely? It's doubtful that Young is the priority.
Posted by: MIKE P | August 8, 2007 3:00 PM
From what I've heard and read Thomas is the best player but Turner is BY FAR the biggest need. Mosley is the better player but doesn't fill the Shooting need. Turner is the guy to get.
Posted by: eric | August 8, 2007 3:10 PM
Since the Terps only have 12 players on scholarship for 07-08, and loose the 2 players you mentioned, they have 3 to give to get them to 13.
Posted by: steve | August 8, 2007 3:11 PM
Matt, in your opinion, who is the best player available?
Posted by: eric | August 8, 2007 3:34 PM
Were all 6 of the terps that left last year on scholarship?
Wouldn't that open up one more for 2008, since they only used 5 for 2007?
Posted by: Scott | August 8, 2007 3:35 PM
One cannot discount the importance of keeping local products. UMD would be stacked and competing for more Final Four appearances instead of struggling just to make the field of 64 if they were able to keep most of the local talent here (e.g. Rudy Gay, Donta Greene). Remember the boost that Keith Booth gave UMD within Baltimore circles in the early-mid 90's. Continuing the focus on the B'more guys like Mosley will help in future consideration for future locals. I would count the talent rich DC metro area as "locals". And the competition for locals is extreme w/the return of G'town.
Posted by: Jung | August 8, 2007 3:39 PM
I'd take Mosley. I'll take the very good player with a high basketball IQ over any of the other guys. He would be a good fit with Jennings. Plus, at some point we have to get one of the good players coming out of TC.
Posted by: BMB | August 8, 2007 3:40 PM
CHC - I'm not sure about the Calvert guys you mentioned. Here's a link to '09 guys Maryland's watching: http://maryland.scout.com/a.z?s=174&p=9&c=4&cfg=bb&yr=2009
MIKE P - I wouldn't take the Young offer to mean that. I think he's an up-and-coming player, and GW is covering his bases.
STEVE - As mentioned above, thanks for the correction.
ERIC - I haven't seen any of these guys yet, so I really can't say. There's something to be said for keeping local talent home, though.
SCOTT - You are correct. I think it's a matter of GW deciding whether he wants to bank 1 scholarship and use just 2 of the 3. Using 2 might not be a bad idea for class balancing purposes, and the fact that there's so much talent in MD for the '09 class.
Posted by: Matt Bracken | August 8, 2007 4:16 PM
Huh? Who said anything about the Terps using 2 of the 3 scholarships? It's not official until TTK says it's official, young weedhopper. Did you just fall off of the pickle boat? Yeesh...
Posted by: TTK | August 8, 2007 4:36 PM
They need to put the fullcourt press on Mosley. The shooting aspect is overrated
IMO and its not as if he is a bad 3pt threat by any means. You must take the best overall player and he is from Baltimore. Matt does Sean know that he is a key component to Marylands next National Championship?
Posted by: AshyKnucklesSon | August 8, 2007 4:54 PM
Mosley is a must get for the Terps --- He brings the sort of all-around skill set that wins you games, and he's going to be a 4 time All-Met performer from one of the nation's BBall hot beds ... MD could also use the local exposure, especially in Baltimore where the MD basketball roster is currently under represented.
Posted by: MDMAN | August 8, 2007 4:58 PM
Love the recent recruiting Gary and Dreisell have done.. Not saying the incoming class is the second-coming of the Fab 5, but it is not like these kids can't play.
Dupree is going to be the starting center at some point this year, if not right away, then certainly by conference play.. Bowie is a bit undersized, but athletic getting to the rack with an intermediate game… Walker is raw because he hasn't played basketball long, but 6'9 guys that can run the floor don't grow on trees.. Gregory might be a 4 in a 3 man's body.. But he was the POY of the year for the Baltimore Metro… when you remember the Metro includes the Catholic League, City, Baltimore County, Anne Arundel, Howard, Caroll, and Harford Counties… it is an accomplishment….
They were all obviously recruited on purpose… guys from strong programs, (Calvert Hall, Montrose, Mt St Joe) with good Coaches… teams that won a lot of games, with players that know how to play the right way.
Guys that are motivated by winning, and probably have a chip on their shoulders for not being higher-ranked recruits… also guys that admittedly do have flaws in their existing games, or skill-sets which will keep them on a college roster… this is how you build continuity with a program, and sustain success.
MD Bball is going to be pretty darn good this year… and in 2008 just freaking loaded with the experience they bring back… and if you could get to 2009 without transfers or early exits, they would figure to just dominate.
2007-8
1 Hayes so
2 Vasquez so
3 Milbourne so
4 Gist sr
5 Dupree fr
Osby, Burney, Tucker, Bowie, Gregory, Walker, Neal
2008-9
1 Hayes
2 Vasquez
3 Milbourne
4 Jennings (though Burney and Walker will also have a chance depending on development)
5 Dupree
Burney, Tucker, Bowie, Gregory, Walker, Neal, Mosley
BTW - Thomas would be great… but I think you have to take Mosley if its either or… With Dupree, Jennings, Burney, Walker, and Gregory… you certainly have enough front-court depth.. Not to mention Milbourne, and Tucker at the 3… with that in mind, I'm going to 'give' MD Mosley, as we look even further forward.
2009-10
1 Hayes sr
2 Vasquez sr
3 Milbourne sr
4 Jennings so
5 Dupree jr
Burney, Tucker, Bowie, Gregory, Walker, Mosley
2010-11
1 Bowie sr
2 Mosley jr
3 Tucker sr
4 Jennings jr
5 Dupree sr
Burney, Gregory, Walker
Posted by: Chris | August 8, 2007 5:03 PM
If Thomas and Mosley want to commit, you take them. A bird in hand.... the '09 class is loaded, but there's some serious competition for every one of these guys. We'd still have 1 scholarship for sure, and in the hopefully unlikely but possible event that TJ doesn't qualify, or is a 1 and done, that opens up a 2nd scholarship.
Posted by: SouthFloridaTerp | August 8, 2007 6:24 PM
Just wanted to thank you for doing a great job on this blog
Posted by: Paul | August 8, 2007 8:34 PM
welcome and keep up the good work!
Posted by: Matt | August 8, 2007 11:31 PM
Outstanding blog. I was wondering when someone from the Sun would catch on to this. The demand for Maryland recruiting information is high and I look forward to reading your blog everyday.
Posted by: Jeff | August 9, 2007 3:50 PM
Love the blog.
Chris Turner sounds nice. I have no problem going in that direction, especially given how indifferent the local from SFA who dreamed Orange has acted towards the locals for the last year.
A ~6'4" athletic guard that can fill it would compliment our inside guys well.
Posted by: twine | August 10, 2007 12:53 AM