In a city known for its point guards, James Padgett has always stood out.

Dwayne "Tiny" Morton, head coach of Lincoln High School in Brooklyn, N.Y., couldn’t help but notice the athletic, 6-foot-8, 210-pounder on the playgrounds of New York City, running the floor and flying to the hoop.

When Padgett, who verbally committed to Maryland late last week, was looking to leave Xaverian High School in Brooklyn after his sophomore year, Morton recalled that playground prowess and extended an invitation for Padgett to join Lincoln’s squad.

“He’s rare in New York City; a big guy that can score down low,” Morton said.

While Morton was excited to add a post player to his program, his initial expectations for Padgett were tempered by his lack of actual production and experience up until that point in his basketball-playing career.

“[For James, it was] more or less [about] getting more experience on the basketball court,” Morton said. “When I watched him the first two years of high school, he wasn’t playing much so I was surprised about that. The thing that impressed me most was when he got on the court, he was able to compete right away.”

Padgett averaged a double-double as a junior (“probably 11 and 10,” Morton said), helping Lincoln to the New York State Class AA Federation Championship. He stood out on a guard-oriented offense (led by five-star shooting guard Lance Stephenson), giving the Railsplitters a much-needed presence in the middle.

His role, Morton said, was to rebound, contribute put-backs and play tough defense. That unselfish play as a junior, and during the summer on Morton’s AAU team, the Juice All-Stars, convinced Morton that Padgett had a bright future. Morton said Maryland’s a good place for him to realize his potential and continue his development.

“Well, he’s a straight power forward. He plays with his back to the basket,” Morton said. “I think for Maryland, he’ll play a very disciplined post game, because of the past players [Gary Williams has] had over there. I think he’s similar but a little more fluid down low.

“I think he’s got a couple of post moves down low that some of the players down there had; [Lonny] Baxter, [Chris] Wilcox. Those guys are powerful. I think James has a couple of moves down there. I just hope he goes down there and gets strong. He’s already athletic. Add strength to that and he’ll have a good career there.”

Padgett chose the Terps over offers from Pittsburgh, Seton Hall, St. John’s, Providence and several others. Morton said Padgett immediately clicked with his future teammates when he made an official visit to College Park last month. His connection with the players and the available playing time presented an ideal situation, according to Morton.

“I think the situation at Maryland was perfect,” Morton said. “The fact that they’re in the ACC, have a history of winning and a chance for him to compete to play right away [were all major factors in his choice]. Some of these schools, their spots are already set. In reality, those guys already got their plans for the ’09, ‘10 seasons. I think Maryland had an open post spot there.”

Morton expects bigger things from Padgett as a senior. He’s hoping for “Kevin Garnett numbers” from his big man and another state title. After Padgett’s done at Lincoln, Morton thinks he’ll continue to impress in College Park.

“They’re going to get a great kid down there that’s going to play hard,” Morton said. “A no-nonsense kid, just like most of the kids Maryland gets.”