Back in action
Looks like I picked a good time to go on vacation.
As far as I can tell, very little recruiting news transpired while I was away. Pre-summer lull, I suppose.
The biggest Terps-related news in my absence was former Florida commitment DeShawn Painter’s decision to attend N.C. State over Maryland. The Hargrave (Va.) power forward made his choice last week.
DeShawn Painter liked Maryland. He played in a pickup game with NBA star Kevin Durant and was impressed with Comcast Center , the Terrapins’ home court.
He liked N.C. State more, though. So on Wednesday night, the former Booker T. Washington star made it official and announced he’ll be playing for the Wolfpack.
On the women’s hoops side, Long Beach (Calif.) Poly center Monique Oliver, a former Southern Cal pledge, committed to Rutgers over Maryland and Texas.
Oliver, the No. 6-ranked player for the Class of 2009 by ESPN HoopGurlz -- a high school recruiting service - admitted she chose Rutgers "to challenge myself and see how it is on the East Coast in a whole new environment."
As for the blog, I’ll have a weekly roundup ready for tomorrow and be back to a normal writing schedule by next week.
Comments
Welcome back, and look forward to things being in full swing again.
Posted by: terp2011 | May 21, 2009 11:14 AM
in the usa today lance stephenson's father said it's between arizona and maryland. he is waiting to see what happens in a court case lance is involved with. always nice recruiting kids with good character.
Posted by: fkterp | May 21, 2009 11:19 AM
Hey Fkterp,do you have any idea what the court case is about?If so please enlighten the rest of us.And since when does character alone win ballgames.You criticize Gary for not getting talent,and then criticize him when he tries to get talent who has a percieved character issue.Ther's a ton of good character type playrs in high school.There's only a few who can play ACC caliber basketball.The hypocrisy astounds me at times.Has Coac K or Roy Wiliams ever turned down a top ten recruit over a court case?I highly doubt it.
Posted by: Burt from Essex | May 21, 2009 1:09 PM
I invite everyone on facebook to join the Maryland Official Basketball Recruiting Group.
Gotta think this is good news. Maryland is a good fit for this guy.
Close to home, but not too close. Great facilities and great exposure. And Gary can put some structure in his game. He won't last 4, but while he is playing college ball he is certainly the real deal.
http://www.zagsblog.com/2009/05/21/the-latest-on-lance-stephenson/
Posted by: cosmkdbree | May 21, 2009 6:06 PM
The court case is apparently a total fraud and blackmail nonsense. The girls claims she was assaulted (and you really have to take a serious pause in those cases with these atheletes). Anyway, her story is flawed. She claims the assault took place at 230, which is exactly when school lets out, but.....she says it happened in the building across the street, But there are ZERO witnesses. Thats impossible at that time and place, now she is kind of changing her story.
I don't buy it. For the record, OJ was guilty.
Posted by: Ryan | May 21, 2009 10:21 PM
Lance's lawyer is confident the charges will be pled down or dismissed altogether. So we'll see what happens. Both Jordan Williams and James Padgett are high character kids. So it's not like Gary is recruiting from prison teams. And we don't know for sure that Lance has any character issues either.
As far as Painter's concerned that was dissapointing. But Maryland now just has to turn the tables and nab ex-N.C. State 2010 PF recruit C.J. Leslie.
Posted by: Adam B. | May 22, 2009 10:25 AM