Image Credit: Bleacher Report
On April 16, 2013, the day came that all Maryland Terrapins basketball fans knew was coming. 7’1″ Ukranian center Alex Len formally announced his decision to enter the National Basketball Association Draft in 2013. It was certainly an understandable decision. Most experts are predicting that Len will be drafted as a lottery pick, guaranteeing him millions of dollars and a chance to start on an NBA team. Most people would agree that he is still a work in progress. His size is what makes him alluring to professional coaches. His basketball abilities still leave more to be desired.
Len arrived in College Park as a freshman in the fall of 2011. Gary Williams had recruited him, but Mark Turgeon became his coach. Not only did he have to adjust to college basketball in the Atlantic Coast Conference, but he had to learn a new language, go to classes at the University of Maryland, and move into a new country. He struggled at times in his first season with the Terps. His height was amazing, but he had very little strength to go along with that size. However, everyone knew that his future was bright.
Len’s second season at Maryland was much better. He bulked up considerably, and was able to use his height and his strength to his advantage. He was showcased in the Terps’ season-opener against Kentucky in the Barclays Center Classic, and caught the eye of all NBA scouts. Yet Len didn’t shine quite as bright as many fans thought he would. There were certainly games where he dominated his competition. The highlight of his 2012-2013 season was manhandling Duke forward Mason Plumlee in a huge 83-81 upset win for the Terps. But he also disappeared from games for seemingly no reason. Against Boston College and Virginia he seemed to be a step behind the competition, despite being the biggest and strongest man on the court. It was these inconsistencies that made Terps fans frustrated with their 7’1″ center.
Ultimately, it was the right decision for Alex Len to enter the NBA Draft. Turning down millions of dollars and a chance to play in the best professional basketball league in the world isn’t something most young men would or should do. As for the Terps, losing Len will sting a little bit, but they should be able to replace him without too much problem. They will really miss him on the defensive end of the court, and hope to use a rotation of players to fill the void he leaves them with.
There are a few players that will have to step up big for the Terps under the basket in the 2013-2014 season. Charles Mitchell and Shaquille Cleare got significant minutes as freshmen last season. They will compete for minutes throughout camp and into the season. Mitchell probably has the upper hand on Cleare, as he showed more ability last season, especially on the boards. He is probably the best rebounder on the team, and one of the better rebounders in the country. If he can be more consistent offensively, he could be the Terps’ starting center come next season.
Shaquille Cleare and Damonte Dodd will likely compete for a backup role as long as Mitchell can secure the starting spot. Dodd is an incoming 3-star freshman from Massanutten Military Academy in Woodstock, VA. He was recruited by the Terps in 2012, but decided to go to prep school instead. He was given time to bulk up and compete at a higher level there and will join the Terps in 2013.
Replacing Alex Len won’t be easy, but the Terps have 3 existing positive options to provide help. Even if Mitchell has the inside track on starting, it will be interesting to see how the Mitchell, Cleare, Dodd trio look next November. It will also be interesting to see how spread-out the minutes are at center in the 2013-2014 season, and if any other post presences are added to the mix.*
*Michigan transfer Evan Smotrycz will receive plenty of minutes at PF next season, but by all descriptions is a step-back shooting 4, in the mold of Duke’s Ryan Kelly. So, while he will be in the big-man rotation, I’m not directly counting him to be a factor in the post.
Terps Analyst
Zack is a financial analyst for a defense contractor in Washington, DC. The Owings Mills native focuses most of his efforts on Maryland Football recruiting and individual coach and player pieces; but also covers Terps Basketball. He has established relationships with Big Ten beat reporters across the conference, which he utilizes in his game previews. Now a Sr. Terps Analyst for BSL, Zack can be reached at: zack.kiesel@baltimoresportsandlife.com.