Terrell Vinson commits to UMass
Terrell Vinson is headed to Massachusetts.
The 6-foot-7, 205-pound small forward from St. Frances committed to UMass last night during an in-home visit with Minutemen head coach Derek Kellogg.
“It went well,” said James Gilyard, Vinson’s father. “DK came in and DK is a player’s coach. He’s working hard to make sure he gets the best out of [Terrell].”
Vinson, who transferred to St. Frances from Montrose Christian before his senior season, helped the Panthers (33-5) to the MIAA A conference and Baltimore Catholic League championships. A Baltimore Sun All-Metro selection, Vinson averaged 23 points and eight rebounds per game.
Vinson originally signed with Loyola Marymount last fall. But when Lions head coach Bill Bayno resigned from his position, Vinson asked out of his letter of intent. Once he received his release, UMass quickly entered the picture.
“What really helped him out was Derek Kellogg being the head coach,” Gilyard said. “With a lot of other schools, the assistant coaches come in, but when it’s not the head coach, you don’t know if it’s going to happen or not. Derek being the head coach, he came in and told Terrell, ‘you’re going to come in, work hard and have a chance to play next year.’ And Terrell wants to play next year.”
Vinson will join Baltimore native and Calvert Hall graduate Ricky Harris on the Minutemen roster next year. Harris, a 6-foot-2 senior guard, led UMass in scoring last year with 18 points per game.
Gilyard said his son’s other finalists were Maryland and Cincinnati. Father and son are both glad the recruiting process is over.
“Oh, man. It was grueling. It was tough,” Gilyard said. “But in the long run, it was good for him. He had to make decisions daily. But the pressure was on him and he came through.”
Check back with Recruiting Report later for more on Vinson’s decision.
Baltimore Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.
Comments
Glad that is over. Never, ever saw this kid really being interested in coming to UMD. The fact that he has now committed to two mid-majors says alot...IMHO. Good luck to him, he may turn out to be a terrific A-10 player.
Now c'mon GARY show the Barton's some love and lets lock up Will and get our 2010 wing.
Posted by: Russ | April 21, 2009 10:16 AM
Whether or not he turns into a nice player, we are all filled up 6'7" players. The teams in the running never led me to believe he would be any better than all the "swing" men on the roster already. Save the scholarship if you can't get someone projected for stardom. When is GV giving his final decision.
Posted by: shreds123 | April 21, 2009 11:14 AM
I have said it before that a lot of times these kids only see the assistant coaches and when the head coach takes over the recruitment things tend to get serious. I just hope that Gary puts forth that kind of effort towards Barton, Parker and CJ Leslie.
Posted by: Will | April 21, 2009 11:51 AM
Just b/c he committed to a mid-major doesn't mean he isn't a good player (which you implied).
Posted by: showboater | April 21, 2009 12:24 PM
Nah now its time to get Deshawn Painter.
Posted by: GF | April 21, 2009 12:39 PM
Russ - every bit of evidence I have seen points to Maryland's interest in Vinson waning, not vice versa. With the possibilities of Born Ready and now Painter, Vinson really fell off their radar. His comments when he first decommitted suggested that he would have signed with MD in a heartbeat if they wanted him. As it turns out, they didn't. As others have said, he probably just wasn't a good fit for this team. He's sort of a tweener, a Landon Milbourne type with less athleticism, though he's more developed than Milbourne was as a Freshman. He'll probably be a solid player in the A-10.
Posted by: Jeremy | April 21, 2009 2:10 PM
if we dont get a great guard in the 2010 class we will be in trouble
Posted by: tyler | April 21, 2009 7:11 PM
Yes agreed we really need Barton because we have a lot of guards leaving in the next two years.
Also Matt, it already seems that Roscoe Smith is a long-shot. Do you know where the terps stand with Smith?
Posted by: Mike | April 21, 2009 10:26 PM
Didn't UMD offer him a scholarship? If so, they how did their interest wane? Vinson would have been eaten up in ACC play, and it sounds like he knows it.
Posted by: GPT | April 22, 2009 10:49 AM
Mike -- The last info I had on Smith, which was several months ago, was that North Carolina was the heavy favorite. But I don't believe they ever offered. I'll have to check in soon. Maryland's on the list, but I think you're probably right on where they stand.
Posted by: Matt Bracken | April 22, 2009 10:58 AM