Smart bet: Vasquez returns for senior year
My gut says that you haven't seen the last of Greivis Vasquez in a Maryland uniform.
Maryland sent out a release today confirming what Vasquez told us all last month: He's going to test the NBA draft waters. He won't be getting an agent, though, so if he doesn't like what he hears -- rather, if NBA scouts don't like what they see -- Vasquez can return to the Terps for a senior year.
Just as it's wise for Vasquez to familiarize himself with the process and see where he stands, the educated guess is it'll be just as wise for Vasquez to return to the Terps.
As it stands right now, Vasquez looks like a second-round pick. Some mocks say he could be a late first-rounder, but everything I hear suggests that might be optimistic. For Vasquez to leave school -- for him to eventually sign with an agent -- he needs to hear better than "maybe a late first-rounder." In the NBA, first-rounders get a two-year guaranteed contract; second-rounders get nothing. Their rights are owned by a team, but that team doesn't have to sign the second-round pick or give him a thing, if they don't feel like it.
Vasquez is somewhat of a wild card. As teams check him out, they'll find that he has an OK outside shot but doesn't shoot for a great percentage. He can be exciting and can create plays, but his passing is suspect and his decision-making ability spotty. He can be a good ball-handler -- someone who can grow into a 1 or a 2 -- but he doesn't always take care of the ball and can be turnover prone. Plus, he allows his emotions get the better of him at key moments. In games, he's especially inconsistent. Vasquez is at his best when the offense revolves around him, and he's not good enough at this point to be that person at the next level. To be effective in 2009-10, he'd have prove that he can defend quicker and more athletic guards and limit his turnovers, neither of which he's shown in three years at Maryland.
His best bet is returning to school, gaining a bit of muscle and size and playing with a bit more discipline as a senior. While his versatility is generally good, he also has to make it clear to NBA teams how exactly he'd contribute.
[It's worth noting that Vasquez has faced professional-quality competition before. He was on the Venezuelan team at the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship, which was an Olympic qualifier. Among the eight teams, he ranked 25th in scoring, averaging 12.1 points and shooting 38.8 percent from the field over the course of eight games. He scored more than guys like Amare Stoudemire and Dwight Howard, for whatever that's worth. And in Venezuela's game against the U.S. team of NBA stars -- which the Americans won 112-69 -- Vasquez led his team with 12 points. He was just 3-of-11 from the field, though, and had four turnovers and only two assists.]
But let's say Vasquez improves his stock in the next 1 1/2 months and somehow makes himself into a sure-fire mid-to-late first-round pick. It still might be wise to spend one more year in college. Because of the rookie salary scale, the No. 15 and the No. 25 pick are separated by about a half-million dollars. And that's just in season 1.
One more year of seasoning, Vasquez could work on the things he needs to improve upon, cash a bigger paycheck and could potentially enter the league as a player who's ready to contribute, not simply take up space on the bench.
Photo: Karl Merton Ferron / Sun
Comments
Just as soon see Vasquez go. The part where he lets his emotions get in the way at crucial moments is why. And he's not that talented. I don't think he'll get drafted at all, so it's hello Europe for Vasquez.
Lance Stephenson still hasn't made up his mind. Maybe Vasquez' decision will encourage Stephenson to move Maryland higher on his list. Why would he want to go to St. John's?
Posted by: Ron | April 23, 2009 12:33 PM
Have Vasquez stay one more year. Add Lance or Painter and we're ready to go. Perfect mix of veteran perimiter and young low post players.
Posted by: AreUKidding | April 23, 2009 12:42 PM
Ron, I wouldn't want Stephenson over Vasquez for just next year. They both have emotion issues, but LS has far greater ones. The guy makes a face on every official call. Plus, LS is a one and donner anyway.
Posted by: Michael | April 23, 2009 12:49 PM
Ron and all the rest of the Vasquez haters: Vasquez will be an NBA player one day and he will be a starter. He never had the players at UM that Steve Blake had. Without him, how many games do they win last season? Do they even make the NIT, much less the NCAA tourny? His problems come because he has to do too much for the team. Give him some talent to play with and then judge him.
Posted by: Luke Tennis | April 23, 2009 1:02 PM
Without Vasquez and Neal this would have been a horrific season. After the 2008 recruiting debacle these two guys pretty much single handily willed us to a decent season and a trip to the tourney. You may not like Vasquez' behavior, but you have to admire his passion as a player. I expect and hope to see him back in a Terps uniform. I've heard that he has been neglecting his classes though, which does not look good for his return. Make no mistake, we are a much better team with him though.
Posted by: Rob | April 23, 2009 1:34 PM
Luke...your nuts. You have to play defense in the NBA....no zone to hide just how terrible a defensive player you are. He also can't beat anyone off the dribble in the NBA. Vasquez is a slow, no defense playing set shooter, prone to committing more TO's than assists.
He will NOT get drafted and he will not make an NBA team. His best chance is to play for Hugo Chavez and all the perks that comes with.
Posted by: Rob K. | April 23, 2009 3:19 PM
This guy single handedly beat North Carolina by dropping a TRIPLE DOUBLE on the National Champions.
Vasquez is THE reason we made the tournament and Gary is off the hot seat. He carried our team all year. He played with heart and inspired our team to overachieve on the floor. I came to appreciate his style of play and ignore his erratic on court moments because an awesome play was soon to follow. Seriously, when he was not on the floor, we had to rely on Dave Neal shooting threes.
IMO, by carrying a very limited/pedestrian team to the tournament through his inspired play and saving Gary from hell this offseason, Vasquez has earned a seat at the table in the history of UMD players that made a significant impact on our program.
Vasquez has left his mark at UMD - I want him back, but he leaves with my blessing if he wants to go and take care of his family. He carried the UMD family all season.
Posted by: DontHateThePlaya | April 23, 2009 3:22 PM
Sorry. He's not Pro material. So what he put up a trip dub on NC. Big Deal. Seen all of those Duke Guards do magical things over the years and how many of them are standout pros?
I'd like a list please.
Posted by: Pop Rox | April 23, 2009 4:47 PM
Gravy is coming back, there's no doubt about it. And, when (not if) he gets drafted in next year's draft, he will contribute to an NBA team very quickly.
Posted by: Carlos | April 23, 2009 5:19 PM
well if there was a choice between lance s and vasquez the answer is a no brainer. vasquez. anyone who would say lance is on really, really, really taking very strong drugs. but with dupree leaving i think if vasquez came back md would be better off with a guy like painter. md has plenty of guard/.forward players. they need at least 3 or 4 good inside players to be really successful
Posted by: fkterp | April 23, 2009 6:21 PM
Rox
How many players dropped a triple double on NC this year? How about with NO supporting cast - we have D.Neal guarding 6' 10'' athletic centers this year.
Don't insult Vasquez by comparing him to Duke's historically soft guards. This guy is physically and mentally tough - the exact reasons NBA teams will take a chance on him in spite of his immaturity and lack of discipline. You can't coach up heart and desire nor physical or mental toughness (not to mention his size). You can teach a player to play more disciplined and under control.
Unfortunately, his downsides will cost him an early 1st round pick and may land him in the 2nd round.
Posted by: dontHateThePlaya | April 23, 2009 6:50 PM
I'm not hatin on GV. I just don't think he's anywhere near having what it takes to be a highly drafted Pro. Yes he's got heart and he's got hustle. What he doesn't have is a good outside shot and his D is horrendous.
Posted by: Pop Rox | April 23, 2009 6:59 PM
would have loved to see thin skinned GV launch a profane tirade at Robin Ficker back in the old Cap Centre. I dont think teammates would put up with GV in NBA. Never mind coaches going crazy at his leaving his feet with no one to throw the ball to or driving into charging calls.
Posted by: Lucky Horseshoe | April 23, 2009 7:19 PM
Vasquez, as some have mentioned , looked a bit slow this year and his leap was affected as well. He dunked more as a fresh/soph, opted for lay ins this year and didn't drive to the hole till later in the season. My theory is the surgery on his ankle affected his foot plants and speed. He should come back to show his speed and vertical, he was a better athlete the previous seasons.
Posted by: dew jones | April 23, 2009 9:53 PM
Rob K: what are you saying about Luke's nuts?!! C'mon, let's stick with basketball.
Greivis showed against UNC what he is capable of. He also showed against Duke what he's capable of, by scoring just 4 points and getting in first half foul trouble. No doubt he (and to a lesser extent, Dave Neal) saved the Terps' season. Also no doubt that he hasn't proven to the NBA scouts that he can play consistently enough to bet a first-round pick. He'll be back at UM next season, and hopefully he will learn to play a bit more consistently.
Posted by: Smitty | April 23, 2009 10:05 PM
Anybody who hates on Vasquez knows absolutely nothing about basketball. In other words, you are stupid. Completely stupid. I hate fans like you because you think you know everything about basketball but you don't know a travel from a blocked shot. I do not condone some of Vasquez's behavior, but he plays extremely hard. He also had a very good year this past year in spite of having absolutely no supporting cast. Without Vasquez, Maryland wins 3 games in the ACC last year.
Posted by: Hammer | April 23, 2009 10:33 PM
Passion and erratic play get you nowhere in the NBA. Look at Adam Morrison (did little, then got hurt). And Vasquez is no Morrison. He'll be back.
Posted by: Dirk | April 24, 2009 3:13 AM
It seems the foreign players that prep outside of the United States fair better in the NBA draft than those that play college ball. GV may take some time to blossom, similar to Sarunas Y (I'm not even attempting to spell his name). Is he too slow of the dribble...I don't know. He seemed to get to the basket more than anyone else on the team. It's not like there were a lot of guys spotting up for the outside shot that teams needed to worry about.
At this point, Maryland is a better team with him.
Posted by: shreds123 | April 24, 2009 8:11 AM
Smitty...that was pretty funny!
GV will be back this year. This is no different then when Ibekwe and Strawberry tested the NBA waters going into their senior year. I just hope that GV does not give up academically and he is forced into a decision like playing overseas.
I totally agree with the previous posts that we need to focus on signing Barton and Smith. Although Smith I believe is eyeing UNC. Oladipo looks like a good prospect and we need to sign these guys before their stock gets too high. Heck, UNC is signing players in junior high school.
Posted by: Rob | April 24, 2009 8:28 AM
"without Vasquez, Maryland wins 3 games in the ACC last year". Hammer, I agree with that sentiment but I also stick to my point that GV will NOT make it in the NBA. He is a slow, white, set shooter who cannot play man-to-man defense or beat anyone off the dribble. He will also get his a$$ kicked the first time he makes a stupid face at one of his teammates.
Hooray that he dropped a triple-double on UNC. He would face tougher competition night ina nd night out in the NBA. His game is better suited for European or South American ball.
Posted by: Rob K. | April 24, 2009 8:31 AM
Do not give credit to Dave Neal. That man was the worst player to sport a UMD uniform I have ever seen. Glad Dupree is leaving though gives us a scholarship for LS. I don't care if LS is an idiot like you all say he is one and done so let him be an idiot here for a year with Vazquez and Jordan Williams. Thats a filthy line up of Vazquez, LS, Milbourne, Jordan, Wild card (think Dino may come out) with moseley and hayes off the bench. Could be legit.
Posted by: pv | April 24, 2009 9:07 AM
anyone remember john gilchrist? where is he now? Obviously he was a head case, but "was sure he'd play in the nba" .. . .
Posted by: r | April 24, 2009 9:26 AM
FYI - Vasquez was 2nd in the ACC in Assists/Turnover ratio for the 2008/2009 season! I encourage every one of you lame, shallow, fake basketball bloggers to start checking your facts before you post. If you don't believe me; go to www.theacc.com and do some research before you continue to make false claims about turnover issues. Vasquez led the Terps in every key statistical category in 2008/2009 - 1st Terp to ever accomplish this. In addition, he plays the most minutes on the team and guards the opposing team's top offensive player - night-in-and-night-out. Remeber Jeff Teague's 4 points in the ACC Tourney? Vasquez shut him down and shut his mouth! Besides any turnover issues that Vasquez has had over the 1st 3 seasons are mostly attributable to the players around him who are never ready for the ball and can't catch! Vasquez led the Terps to the NCAA tournament, last year - they were picked to finish dead last in the ACC last year by just about every major, credible publication (look it up on Sporting News and Street and Smiths). Period! End of Discussion! Stop hating a guy that you wouldn't have the courage to disrespect if he was standing right in front of you. I guess he could tease each of you for how poorly you all played your instruments in you High School marching bands, or how you try to pretend you were an athelete when you play in your weekend softball beer leagues.
Posted by: Tom | April 24, 2009 9:54 AM
The posters who are saying that Vasquez won't get drafted at all are completely off base. He has the size and athleticism to get drafted, maybe even in the first round. Whether or not he makes an NBA squad is the real question.
Posted by: Mac | April 24, 2009 9:55 AM
With Vazquez, Stephenson and Painter, the Terps could be at the top of the ACC next year. However, who knows if they'll get even one of those guys. I want Greivis to come back, but if he needs the money, then he might have to go. Hopefully GW can get LS to be a Terp. That would be awesome, even if he heads to the NBA after one year. What do you guys think?
Posted by: Max | April 24, 2009 11:39 AM