Weekly recruiting roundup
The Maryland men's basketball coaching staff has been out in full force for the beginning of July's open evaluation period, which started this week.
Never was that more evident than Thursday at the adidas Invitational in Indianapolis during the Houston Defenders' game against D.C. Assault. The Washington Post's Josh Barr reported that Mark Turgeon, Bino Ranson and Dalonte Hill were on hand to watch point guard targets Andrew Harrison and Nate Britt do battle.
In the end, Britt — perhaps tired in his second game of the day after an overnight bus trip — struggled a bit against the 6-foot-6 Harrison’s size, and finished with 10 points, Harrison had 19 and Houston squeaked out a 65-64 victory.
Andrew Harrison gave MaxPreps.com a list of schools after the game.
Harrison, ranked No. 5 by CBSSports.com/MaxPreps, listed Maryland, Kansas, Kentucky, Baylor, Arizona, Texas, Texas A&M and North Carolina.
• Rivals.com's Eric Bossi scouted Maryland combo guard commitment Seth Allen at the Reebok Breakout Challenge in Philadelphia.
After a bit of a slow start, the 6-foot-2 rising senior got things rolling a bit on Thursday. He can shoot from outside, creates offense for himself and is a sneaky athlete. He looks to be one of those guys who will serve the role of designated jump shooter in college.
The Washington Post's Eric Prisbell caught up with Allen after the event.
“I am very excited about Maryland,” Allen said. “But I am playing right now like I don’t have a scholarship, like I am still fighting for one.”
• Rivals.com's Jerry Meyer updated the recruitment of Houston center Shaquille Cleare.
Shaquille Cleare of the Houston Defenders said he likes Maryland a lot, but it is no guarantee that he will commit there. He named Texas, Texas A&M, Baylor and Maryland as the other schools in the mix.
• National Recruiting Spotlight conducted an extensive interview this week with DeMatha center Bee Jay Anya.
Another thing that will certainly impact Anya’s decision is the coaching carousel this off-season in college basketball. Says Anya, “I had a good relationship with the Maryland coaches but then [former head coach] Gary Williams left and I haven’t had the chance to talk to the new staff at Maryland.”
• MaxPreps.com this week profiled Maryland forward target Amile Jefferson.
His play has attracted the attention of Villanova, Temple, Maryland, North Carolina State, Connecticut, Ohio State and Harvard. What's made Jefferson that much more attractive to college scouts is the versatility he's added to his game. The No. 14 player in the recently released MaxPreps Class of 2012 rankings is no longer a back-to-the-basket player who relies on his teammates to feed him.
• The Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer's Dan Wiederer spoke to Brewster (N.H.) Academy coach Jason Smith for his take on Terps target and five-star center Mitch McGary.
"Through his first month here, as much skill as he had, he spent an awful lot of time floating out to and all around the perimeter," Smith says. "So we took a day to introduce him to the paint. We measured him and showed him that he was 6-10. And while it's great to step out and be able to knock down shots, we stressed with Mitch that he had to grapple inside and do the dirty work as well."
Almost instantly, the message sunk in.
• Baltimore Sports & Life conducted a Q&A this week with CBSSports.com's Jeff Borzello, who included his take on the recruitment of Nate Britt.
He’s a heavy Georgetown lean, with Duke (and maybe UNC) as the other team who could seriously threaten for him.
• ESPN.com's Adam Finkelstein was impressed by Clarksburg center Andre Walker at Hoop Mountain's Super Week II.
He combines his size and length with great mobility for a guy his size and good touch that extends all the way out to 18 feet. DePaul and Maryland are working on him early, but that list is bound to grow by the end of the summer.
Football recruiting
• The Terps got a commitment this week from P.J. Gallo -- a tight end from Council Rock South in Holland, Pa. -- according to Scout.com. Check back with Recruiting Report later for more on Gallo's pledge.
• Greenbelt Patch spoke to Eleanor Roosevelt quarterback/linebacker Shawn Petty about his commitment to Maryland.
“I’ve been here for, like, six years now,” he said, “so I mean, I really like the Terrapins. I’ve been to a lot of games and things like that.”
Comments
Matt:
Should the fans be worried when Cleare says "it's no guarantee" he will sign with MD? I thought we were the front runners all along.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Josh: It could just be recruit-speak. Nick Faust said he was wide open last August, even though it was pretty clear that Maryland was No. 1. -- Matt
Posted by: Josh | July 8, 2011 1:54 PM
On behalf of TERP NATION: CALL ANYA TERPS COACHING STAFF! This guy is a beast and we need him. To hear he hasn't been in contact with the new Terps staff is concerning. With a small lineup this year, I'm dreaming about having Cleare & Anya owning the boards in 2 years.
Posted by: David | July 8, 2011 2:17 PM
It seems like Nate Britt is heading to Georgetown I like the Harrison Twins anyway. Cleare is coming to MD. and I think Walker will be here also. Jefferson would be an excellent pick up and I think he is going to be a 3 in college. Mc Cary is a 6'10 stress 4 he would look good in the comcast center. What you think Matt?
Posted by: Coach Hall | July 10, 2011 8:28 AM
not to linger, but a side question:
has keith booth landed, looked or picked up anywhere?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
space: As far as I know, Booth is still on the market. We'll have our Terps beat reporter check in on him soon. -- Matt
Posted by: space | July 11, 2011 9:12 AM
Coach Hall- if we land both Harrison brothers, Cleare, Jefferson and McGary, I will be the first to commend you on your foresight. However, it's been years since Maryland has landed a single player of that caliber, and that was back when the Terps were actually playing NCAA tourney-quality ball, so you'll have to forgive my skepticism when we don't yet have a single top-100 commit in hand.
To that point, I see that UVA has three top-100 commits (including Justin Anderson), and Sean Miller/Arizona have already landed a couple. I understand that Gary Williams kind of screwed us with his sudden, late retirement, and Turgeon has had to make up a lot of ground quickly on the recruiting front. But a big commit would certainly help the Terps get some momentum, and give this coaching staff some credibility in future recruiting battles.
When do you think Maryland could land its first big commitment? It has sounded like Cleare was the closest but now his comments are cause for concern; are there any other top-100 players who may commit soon?
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Andrew: I still think Cleare is the best bet, sometime this summer. -- Matt
Posted by: Andrew | July 11, 2011 10:43 AM
I used to coach the Harrison Twins Father and Bino Ranson they both play with me and are good friends.Andrew I know its been a long time since the year we got Joe Smith Kieth Booth and so on but I feel that we have the best coaches in NCAA right now. These coaches work hard and have good feel for recruiting. Cleare, Jefferson, Ibeh, House, Motto, Carter and Texas Guard sleeper Cary
Posted by: Coach Hall | July 11, 2011 3:06 PM
Coach Hall, do you still speak with Bino or the Harrison's father? Who do you think UMD will land in the next 2012 AND 2013 classes? What do you base that on, just opinion? No doubt these coaches work hard but like others I do hope that is enough given the our track record. Although that was with a different coach and I do believe it is a matter of time until the UA relationship pays major dividends. How could it not???
Posted by: Rob | July 12, 2011 9:02 AM
Matt or anyone in the know,
I can't recall his name but the center that just finished his Senior year at St. Frances is a beast, how in the world did he wind up at Rutgers instead of Terp land? He's 6'8 and all muscle!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Wayne: You're thinking of Greg Lewis. Maryland showed some interest, but he was really pursued heavily by Rutgers and South Florida. -- Matt
Posted by: Wayne | July 12, 2011 12:40 PM
I think Saunder, Clare and Layman will be the first to sign follow by Ibeh and Motto. Greg Lewis is not that strong as he looks.
Posted by: Coach Hall | July 12, 2011 10:40 PM