Weekend wrap — The Bartons' choice
Lake Clifton standouts Will and Antonio Barton flew to Memphis on Friday to attend the Tigers’ elite camp.
Later that night, recruiting ended for the brothers when both committed to the Tigers.
“It was always our plan to go to school together, but we were ready for anything, [even] if it was to split up and go to different schools,” Antonio said. “But going to school together was always an option.”
Antonio said Memphis, Xavier, Miami, Virginia and Syracuse were five schools that offered both brothers. Maryland offered Will long ago, but landed its point guard for the 2010 class in April when Tucson (Ariz.) Santa Rita prospect Terrell Stoglin picked the Terps over Texas A&M, Penn State and San Diego.
Testudo Times broke down how the Bartons’ decision affects the Terps, and also looked at UM’s top remaining targets.
• According to ESPN.com’s Andy Katz, Maryland’s recruitment of Lance Stephenson is in a holding pattern until his legal issues are resolved.
Lance Stephenson is still out there for the taking, but Arizona isn't interested. Neither are a number of schools. Maryland isn't touching him while he and a teammate, Darwin Ellis, have a court case pending dealing with a sexual assault. The New York Daily News reported last week that Stephenson's attorney, Alberto Ebanks, claimed his client is innocent. The case won't be heard again until June 29.
The Washington Post’s Sally Jenkins argues for making freshmen athletes ineligible, using Stephenson’s recruiting drama as an example to support her case.
Stephenson, arguably the nation's most overprized high school basketball talent, would have to decide whether a scholarship is a priceless gift or an unwanted obstacle; he'd have to either commit to an education or forgo the charade and play a year in Europe, where he could learn to insult his teammates and coaches in a foreign language before he skips to the NBA and becomes Commissioner David Stern's latest ward.
• Gary Williams made a whirlwind trip to Connecticut last week, playing in a golf tournament benefiting Torrington High School -- better known as the school that produced Jordan Williams.
Flying up Tuesday morning, Williams was picked up by [former Torrington coach Tony] Turina and one of his former assistant coaches, Jay Reginatto, who also left the basketball program at the end of this past season, at an airport in Plainville. He was back in Maryland later Tuesday night, but not until he played 18 holes, had dinner and spoke to the appreciative crowd.
Comments
Matt,
Why has there been no mention locally of the SI report that Greivis has said he's staying in the draft? This is on SI.com. Has this been confirmed by anyone?
Thanks
Posted by: Connin | June 8, 2009 12:31 PM
Connin -- The SI.com report has not been confirmed. We think it's more speculative than anything else. His final decision could come this week or drag until the June 15 deadline.
Posted by: Matt Bracken | June 8, 2009 3:02 PM
Why no mention about Pe'Shon Howard? Last I read he was the starting PG for Oak Hill Acedemy, which I hear is pretty good team, and he has MD high on his list along with Stanford.
Let's be realistic people to get a class consisting of Tobias Harris, Barton, Jones, Irving, and Roscoe Smith is damn near impossible for MD. We didn't get Barton, kiss Irving goodbye if we get Pe'shon (no way he comes after 2 pg commit, even if he is better then them), UNC is going hard after Roscoe, and they get whoever they want, and sure Tobias has MD as a school he is considering with high interest, but according to scout.com he has 11 schools listed as high, so we can pretty much forget him also. Terrence Jones is the only one I see as having a legit shot at, simply because of Terrance Ross. I love MD, always have always will, but lets face it, we will never get the top guys we go after.
With that said.....Give me Ross, Stoglin, Regan, Pe'shon, and Jones, and that my friends is still a real good recruting class, regardless of star power, and we can guarentee AT LEAST 2 years of play from those guys. So if Regan, Pe'shon, or Jones is reading this.....MD is the perfect fit for you, come play for us and you will develop into a great college basketball player.
Forget the pre-Maddonna big names (Lance Stephenson) they are obviously nothing but a headache, and we do not need one and doners, or players only looking to benefit their situation.
PS-I would take Terrence Ross over Will Barton any day of the week.
Posted by: Ryan | June 9, 2009 2:05 PM
Why no mention about Pe'Shon Howard? Last I read he was the starting PG for Oak Hill Acedemy, which I hear is pretty good team, and he has MD high on his list along with Stanford.
Let's be realistic people to get a class consisting of Tobias Harris, Barton, Jones, Irving, and Roscoe Smith is damn near impossible for MD. We didn't get Barton, kiss Irving goodbye if we get Pe'shon (no way he comes after 2 pg commit, even if he is better then them), UNC is going hard after Roscoe, and they get whoever they want, and sure Tobias has MD as a school he is considering with high interest, but according to scout.com he has 11 schools listed as high, so we can pretty much forget him also. Terrence Jones is the only one I see as having a legit shot at, simply because of Terrance Ross. I love MD, always have always will, but lets face it, we will never get the top guys we go after.
With that said.....Give me Ross, Stoglin, Regan, Pe'shon, and Jones, and that my friends is still a real good recruting class, regardless of star power, and we can guarentee AT LEAST 2 years of play from those guys. So if Regan, Pe'shon, or Jones is reading this.....MD is the perfect fit for you, come play for us and you will develop into a great college basketball player.
Forget the pre-Maddonna big names (Lance Stephenson) they are obviously nothing but a headache, and we do not need one and doners, or players only looking to benefit their situation.
PS-I would take Terrence Ross over Will Barton any day of the week.
Posted by: Ryan | June 9, 2009 4:09 PM