Matt Bracken of The Baltimore Sun has reported the signing of 2010 JUCO Center Berend Weijs.
Keith Cavanaugh of The Terrapin Times was on 1570 WNST today doing his weekly show with host Bob Haynie, and stated he had saw Weijs play a bit of pickup last night at College Park, and believed a signing was imminent.
Cavanaugh noted that Weijs would need to put on weight (currently only 210 pounds at 6’10), but said he believed if Weijs could potentially gain 25 pounds prior to the start of the Terrapins season, if he enrolled now.
It is hard to find anyone that believes Steve Goins is going to return to Maryland for this coming season, and there has to be some caution/worry from the staff of what they are going to get from incoming Freshman Ashton Pankey (as is his season was ended with a broken leg).
The Terrapins incoming class was recently ranked as the 21st best class in the country prior to the signing of Weijs. While he had previously been actively recruited by low D1 teams, and even some Division 2 teams – within the last two weeks major conference teams from the ACC, Big East, Big 10, and SEC had all shown interest in Weijs.
That said, looking at his numbers against the likes of Essex and Frederick Community College – it is hard to envision him being able to legitimately contribute within the ACC.
On the other-hand, the big-man from The Netherlands gives the Terps another 5 fouls if needed, and a player that should be solid in the classroom (3.8 GPA at Harcum College).
2010-11 Terps:
1) Bowie (Senior), Stoglin (Frosh)
2) Tucker (Senior), Howard (Frosh)
3) Mosley (Junior), Parker (Frosh), Palsson (Frosh)
4) Gregory (Senior), Pankey (Frosh)
5) Williams (Soph), Padgett (Soph), Weijs (Junior) Goins (Junior)
I’m still including Goins until there is official notice of him leaving. With Goins, the Terps are now at their allowed max of 13 players under-scholarship.
It is important to keep the signing of Weijs in perspective. Even if Goins does leave, Weijs is effectively the 5th ‘big’ in a likely 4 man rotation. He is a practice player, that will improve the team GPA, and provides a bit of insurance if Pankey is significantly slowed to start the year.
Youtube video of Weijs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EK-31T4K76w
EDIT: The Baltimore Sun / Matt Bracken posted a 2nd article on Weijs last-night after interviewing his JC Coach.
There is enough in there to feel even better about the signing. Confirmation about his work ethic, agility, and interestingly pointing out his 119 blocks. I’m not going to call him Boom Osby, but maybe Weijs will contribute more than I first expected.
Here is a link to my early questions for next-year:
http://baltimoresportsandlife.blogspot.com/2010/03/terps-basketball-in-2010-11.html
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