Maryland Terrapins 2015 class could come with some major surprises
The Maryland Terrapins basketball team has had a pretty quiet 2015 class thus far, as we’ve detailed before. Their only two players coming in thus far happen to be a European unknown and a transfer stud in the form on Robert Carter Jr. While the class isn’t too shabby right now, it’s not wowing like 2014 by any stretch of the imagination.
Well, that could be changing pretty soon. Earlier this week, Jeff Ermann of 247Sports.com broke news that Diamond Stone, the top center in the nation for the 2015 class and five-star prospect, has the Terrapins in his top five and reportedly “likes them a lot.” Stone’s father has been adamant that Maryland remains a player with the Terps, but up until now it’s been pretty much hearsay.
Trusted source Jerry Meyer, a national recruiting analyst for 247sports.com and a very accurate reporter, also added that Maryland is quietly rising to the top of the list with Stone. It goes without saying that Meyer wouldn’t have reported that news if there weren’t something substantial behind it, as his past history shows. While Stone is listing Maryland as one of his top schools and though they may be in the top three for his services, there’s still a lot of work to be done.
Stone is being recruited by Bino Ranson and has been for a long time now. The two speak constantly, and they are both openly on very good terms with one another dating back to his freshman year. Stone speaks highly of Coach Ranson all the time, in fact. But Maryland has to compete with the likes of Connecticut, North Carolina, Kentucky, Duke, and Wisconsin for Stone’s services. It is worth mentioning, though, that Stone’s AAU team happens to be an Under Armor affiliate (and if you care, he does follow them on Twitter).
For now, the good news is just that: good news. Every school in the country would be happy to be in Maryland’s position right now, with a seat at the table and a voice in the ear of the best center prospect to come along in a few years. Stone may still be a tough land, but this is the best you can ask for in an open recruitment of a player at this point. Maryland has clearly been pushing the Alex Len-to-the-NBA button a lot, and it’s been working with big men.
As a player, Stone is a true center with a little range on his jumper as well. He’s 6’10” and some change, but has both bulk and length that allows him to play like a more throwback center. Stone is also a dunker and a fantastic shot blocker. I’d highly suggest checking out some of his YouTube clips for an idea.
But wait, there’s more…
In related good news, news broke today that the Terrapins have also made some major headway in another 2015 prospect. According to GoGamecocks.com, the Terrapins have apparently jumped into guard Perry “P.J.” Dozier’s top six. For those unfamiliar with Dozier, it’s probably necessary to provide a bit of a bio on the kid because he is an entirely new player for the Terps.
Dozier happens to be the 23rd ranked player in the 2015 class and a top ten guard overall. He’s a borderline five-star prospect who can play both guard positions, and hails from Columbia, South Carolina where he plays for Spring Valley High. Having seen Dozier play a handful of times, I can tell you he is without a doubt an elite player. As far as fit with Maryland comes, he’d be a perfect fit next to Melo Trimble. Dozier can play both guard positions and play them (at 6’6”) very well thanks, in large part, to his very high basketball IQ. He makes decisions that kids his age don’t make too often, and while he’s not a jump out at you athlete, he is still very nimble in his own right.
Thus far it had been widely assumed that Dozier was a heavy UNC lean, having had them listed as one of his top schools for a long time. Still, other players have always been around for his services, including: South Carolina, Michigan, Lousiville, and even Georgetown. He’s planning official visits in the coming days to all those schools save Louisville, and here’s where Maryland comes in.
Dozier has stated that he plans on taking one more visit after his final visit of that group (South Carolina on October 24th), but it’s between Maryland and Louisville here. Both schools have had coaches visit Dozier’s family at his home this past month; Coach Turgeon and Coach Ranson both visited Dozier earlier. Adding another layer to this element is the fact that Dozier’s father, Terry, happens to hail from Baltimore and was a local basketball standout at Dunbar HS. As has been well documented, Bino is also from there.
That Dozier has decided to open the door for Maryland is very noteworthy stuff, as it seems Maryland could be in position to swoop in here. This is purely speculation, but the idea of playing alongside Melo Trimble, Diamond Stone, and Robert Carter is a very convincing pitch to make to a kid. If the Terps went with that angle, and it is certainly a good one, they might need one shoe to drop before the other does.
Again, take it for what it is: Maryland has another seat at the table, but it’s hard not to be a fan of the seat they’ve got. Landing both these prospects puts the Terps in a very good position for the future. Diamond Stone may be a one year player, but Dozier and Trimble are not. Those two would be a fantastic backcourt together, and couple that with Dion Wiley and Jared Nickens, and the Terps have an imposing team nationally. It’s also incredibly well-balanced, and Maryland’s roster can certainly accommodate all this talent since it’s “downsizing” this offseason.
Regardless, that 2015 class is looking up!
D.C. resident. Graduated from Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington, Virginia (four year letterman in hockey) and University of Maryland, College Park. Played three years of ice hockey at Maryland. Former writer for Washington Wizards blog (TheDCDime.com), current hockey coach at Gonzaga College Preparatory School. Terrapin nut. Editor of Terrapin Station.