It has been a busy stretch for Gary Williams, and the MD coaching staff.
April 16th through April 22nd is a designated contact period, where coaches can conduct in-person evaluations of players.
After this, the next evaluation period begins July 6th.
As The Sun’s Matt Bracken reported over the weekend, Gary visited Lance Stephenson in Brooklyn this past Friday, and made a final pitch for MD.
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/college/recruiting/2009/04/weekend_wrap_terps_still_battling_for_stephenson.html
Xaiver Henry (and his brother CJ) appear close to heading to Kansas,with word that they have no current plans to visit Kentucky. With that being the case, it would seem to point Stephenson away from Kansas, to a decision between St. John’s and MD.
http://www2.kusports.com/news/2009/apr/20/henry-brothers-close-making-decision-no-kentucky-v/
We will see, seems to be pointing towards a weekend decision.
StJohn’s is home, Madison Square Garden, the Big East, NY attention…all which have allure to Stephenson, and are reasons why NY media believes he will ultimately sign there.
Another potential 2009 option was Baltimore’s Terrell Vinson.
Bracken reported today, that Vinson has agreed to sign with Umass as expected.
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/college/recruiting/2009/04/terrell_vinson_commits_to_umass.html
Tomorrow, Gary is visiting Mychal Parker, and Hippolyte Tsafack in Virginia.
I believe it was also thought that Gary would visiting Buffalo’s Will Regan, and the Barton Brothers (Will and Antonio) from Baltimore.
Miami has offered both Barton brothers… Antonio had a conditional offer from MD, but you have to wonder if that is still possible with the addition of Stoglin.
Will Barton has exploded on the National scene, and is probably now a Top 20 National recruit.
Two new names for the 2010 class have emerged after the recent Boo Williams Tourney:
C.J. Leslie is a major recruit who verballed to NCST, but has decommitted. MD was somewhat involved on his recruitment previously, and is trying to get involved with the 2010 recruit now. There is some talk that Leslie has agreed to visit the campus.
J.D. Weatherspoon is a 6’6 SF from Ohio, who lists Stoglin as a friend. At Boo Williams, the reports are that his athleticism was on full display.
Another name that Terp fans should keep an eye on is DeShawn Painter. The 6’9
Painter has decommitted from FL, and re-opened his recruiting process.
This time last year, Painter was a Top 25 National recruit.. Currently you can find him just outside the Top 100. Always described as a good athlete, he could help. Maybe it is only ill-feelings from Painter leaving, but there is talk from FL that Painter would not have qualified as part of the 2009 class.
If Painter could go to prep-school for 2009-10, and join MD’s 2010 class, that would be ideal.
Here is a link to a free article by Terp Center’s Jeff Errman on Painter. http://www.terpcenter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12140
I am still high on Victor Oladipo, who supposedly also played well at the Boo Williams Tourney. MD offered early on Oladipo, but there are many schools involved with his recruitment.
Take these last comments with a grain of salt, but posters on MD message boards who claim to be College Park students, say that Jerome Burney is still on crutches, and that Vasquez is still attending class.
I continue to believe that it quite possible that Burney will take a medical and be done, and/or that Goins will decide to leave.
I also believe that Vasquez will return for his Senior season, and that Dupree will not be leaving College Park.
For the 2010 class, in addition to Stoglin… you know that 2 scholarships will be available, and possibly 3.
If it is only 2 scholarships, you need a 2G, and probably a SF… if you have 3 scholarships, another big would be great.
Out of the group of 9 of Mychal Parker, Hippolyte Tsafack, Antonio Barton, Will Barton, Will Regan, C.J. Leslie, Victor Oladipo, J.D. Weatherspoon, and DeShawn Painter – there certainly is an opportunity to add 2 or 3 players of substance.
2010-11 Terps
1 – Bowie (Senior), Stoglin (Frosh)
2 – Mosley (Junior),
3 – Tucker (Senior), Kim (Junior),
4 – Padgett (Soph), Gregory (Senior)
5 – Williams (Soph), Dupree (Senior), Burney (Senior), Goins (Junior)
2011-12 Terps
1 Stoglin (Soph)
2 Mosley (Senior),
3 Kim (Senior)
4 Padgett (Junior)
5 Williams (Junior), Goins (Senior)
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