Weekend wrap — Ross breaks out
After a summer away from the AAU circuit, Terrence Ross has now reclaimed his place in the high school basketball spotlight.
At the Nike-sponsored National High School Hoops Festival at Wise High School in Prince George’s County this weekend, Ross was at his best.
ESPNU 100 prospect and future Maryland wing Terrence Ross (Portland, Ore./Montrose Christian) was the top performer of the day, scoring 32 points in a win against St. Mary's Ryken (Md.).
NBE Basketball Report attempted to get some post-game clarification on the status of Ross’ commitment to UM.
Terrence Ross, who did not sign a letter-of-intent to attend Maryland after verbally committing to the Terrapins, will not comment on why he didn’t make it official. When pressed, a Montrose assistant said that the coaching staff doesn’t want reporters talking to Ross about it. “Only about the game,” an assistant said.
Check out video highlights of Montrose Christian and Ross here.
• The Terps will monitor Calvert Hall forward Jonathan Graham throughout his senior season, according to NBE Basketball Report.
Has offers from VCU and Seton Hall, and said that Maryland told him it would keep an eye on him during the season. He plans to make a decision at at the end of the season, sometime in April.
• Raleigh, N.C., power forward C.J. Leslie is writing an online diary for DimeMag.com.
For those that don’t know, I’m waiting until the spring to get everything decided with my recruitment. I’m just not sure about anything at this point, and it’s important for me to be sure. I don’t have any favorites and I’m just taking my time with the whole thing. (Editor’s note: C.J.’s most recent list included N.C. State, Kentucky, Oregon, Maryland, Connecticut, Georgetown and Florida.)
• Toronto center Stefan Nastic -- a senior with Maryland interest -- scored 15 points to lead Thornhill to a 62-33 win over Community Hebrew
• Lakewood (N.J.) small forward Jarrod Davis has received some interest from the Terps.
Davis, according to [Lakewood coach Randy] Holmes, also finds his name on the lips of Kentucky, St. Joseph's of Philadelphia, Virginia Tech, Florida, Siena, Seton Hall, Maryland and George Mason.
• Terps junior shooting guard target Deuce Bello scored 28 points to lead Westchester Country Day to a 77-74 win over Fayetteville (N.C.) Academy.
Bello also had 10 rebounds, seven assists and four steals ...
• Maryland women’s small forward commitment Alyssa Thomas had a big game in a loss for her Central Dauphin (Pa.) squad Friday.
But 31 points from Alyssa Thomas weren't enough as the Rams fell to District 1 power Council Rock North 64-60.
• Terps combo guard recruit Natasha Cloud helped Cardinal O’Hara to a 47-31 win over Neumann-Goretti (Pa.).
O'Hara, which got 15 points from Natasha Cloud, made 19 of 28 foul shots to Neumann's 2 of 6.
Football recruiting
• The Express-Times of Lehigh Valley, Pa., named Maryland quarterback commitment Tyler Smith its Player of the Year.
Smith, headed to the University of Maryland, threw for 3,130 yards and 32 touchdowns this season, leading the Warriors to a Colonial League championship and to the quarterfinals of the PIAA Class AAA playoffs.
• The Philadelphia Inquirer profiled Terps defensive end commitment Ian Evans, who was named its South Jersey Defensive Player of the Year.
As a senior, Evans had 17 sacks, seven hurries, two forced fumbles, and 52 tackles. As a tight end on offense he caught 17 passes for 360 yards and three touchdowns.
Comments
Matt-
So what does any of that mean with Ross?
I have a bad feeling about this. Let me tell you, if they lose Ross, that class takes a huge hit.
What are they doing down there? I mean, they finally get a great player, and they can't get him to sign.
What are the rumors? Where there's smoke there's fire. Something is obviuosly up.
Posted by: Ryan | December 14, 2009 11:43 AM
Ryan -- I'd rather not speculate on Ross' commitment status. We'll just have to wait until the spring signing period to know for sure.
Posted by: Matt Bracken | December 14, 2009 11:54 AM
"What are the rumors"??? smh Shouldn't it be "what are the facts".
Posted by: Russ | December 14, 2009 12:56 PM
Ross will end up at Kentucky, if CJ Leslie does not comment to UK,
Posted by: WC | December 14, 2009 8:02 PM
WC,
You should have to put your full name and picture next to a comment that idiotic. Yes, that was a comment, Ross is MD commit.
Posted by: Chad | December 14, 2009 11:38 PM
Matt-
Speculate away. I mean, we all know your just speculating. What have you heard?
When is the signing period for spring?
Posted by: Ryan | December 15, 2009 12:52 AM
Ryan:
While we can speculate all we want, I don't think it's appropriate for Matt to do so through this forum. Specifically, should he opt to do so, inevitably, his "speculation" will become "fact" to some and be negatively viewed by at least one individual with influence within the recruiting circuit. If so, that would significantly, if not permanently, impair his ability to secure much of the valuable information he provides us through this blog.
Don't get me wrong, though, as I'm as anxious about Ross' commitment as the next Maryland fan. However, it's probably better to allow the thing to play itself out. I read a post from someone who attended a recent Montrose game and who apparently spoke to some of the school's fans, et al. He came away with the impression that Ross remained a pretty firm commit at this time. The bottom line is that, if the kid has character (being true to his word as, after all, there is no coaching, etc. turmoil at Maryland and he'd fit into the program and roster perfectly) and Coach Vetter can be believed (he has said that Ross is a Maryland commit; as well, he should have a pretty tight relationship with Maryland and William's staff--Vasquez., Bowie), the Terps should land Ross in the Spring.
Now, given Calipari's snake oil penchant for recruit poaching--I'm sure that'll generate some acrid responses from some of the "holier than thou" kentucky apologists--if the rumors of the wildcats' present interest in Ross are true, it'll be interesting to see how this process unfolds. Notwithstanding the questionable ethics behind actively pursuing a recruit who has already committed to another school (albeit, verbally only), please be reminded that Calipari has no ethics. To that end, don't be fooled by reports of players, such as Wall, a "1-and-done" player, actively recruiting players to UK as he'll never even play with them. Such stories represent nothing more than a smokescreen.
Posted by: Terp'nTexas | December 15, 2009 10:10 AM