| PG | SG | SF | PF | C |
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| Romelo Trimble | Phil Booth | Obi Enechionyia | Abdul-Malik Abu | Trayvon Reed |
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Rashad Vaughn |
Dwayne Morgan | |||
| ABDUL-MALIK ABU | |
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Position: PF Rankings and Profiles: Other Schools: Cincinnati, Iowa State, Miami, Michigan St., Providence, Rutgers, Temple, UConn, Wisconsin Notes: Abu is a prototypical power forward, one of many in the 2014 class who impressed Mark Turgeon in the summer of 2012. He earned an offer from the Terrapins and promised a subsequent visit, launching himself into the stratus of Maryland's preferred '14 commitments. Major Strengths: His physique is top-notch. A fairly big guy at 6-8 and 230 already, Abu has the size, strength, and athletic ability you want out of a modern day power forward. He doesn't have any qualms about throwing his body around down low and has a very good motor. He can be a difference-maker defensively, but he's a terror on the boards with his athletic ability and willingness to do the dirty work. Unlike Charles Mitchell, who's a quite similar player in many ways, he has great athleticism and the physical tools to be a starter at this level rather quickly. Needs Improvement: He's still raw. Improving fast, but raw nonetheless. His offensive game consists almost solely of dunks around the rim, and defensively he can be fooled by a canny low-post player. While he still has plenty of time to grow, it's worth noting that if he stays at 6-8 he'd ultimately be a bit shorter than you'd like for someone who plays the way he does. Odds: We'll see. Maryland's one of his best offers, but whether or not the Terrapins push for his commitment could define his interest level. There's certainly no reason to expect Maryland to be out of the race if they want to be in it, at the very least. |
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| PHIL BOOTH | |
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Position: SG/PG Rankings and Profiles: Other Schools: Georgetown, Indiana, Rutgers, SMU, Villanova, Xavier Notes: One of many high-major players in a loaded class locally, Booth has long been on Maryland's radar. He was one of the first in the class to get an offer from Turgeon, and has solidified himself as a legitimate top-100 prospect. He's a highly-similar player to Romelo Trimble, though, and there may not be room for two combo guards in the class. Major Strengths: Booth's a prototypical combo guard, exceedingly smooth and crafty with a very well-rounded game. There's little he can't do, and do well: he's a good shooter, a solid athlete, with a handy mid-range game and ability to finish at the rim, plus good enough vision to fill in at the point if necessary. He has a good motor and will work hard on defense. Needs Improvement: Again, he's a prototypical combo guard, and that has some negative aspects; namely, he lacks a real position. He's shorter than you'd like for a 2-guard at only 6-3, but lacks the point guard skills to be a full-time point. His physical tools leave a bit lacking in general, actually; you'd like to see him put on a few inches and add some strength, and he's not particularly quick. And, ultimately, there's something of a "jack of all trades, master of none" about him. Odds: The question is whether or not Maryland will continue to push for him post-Trimble. Their games are very similar, to the point where there'd arguably be some redundancy between the two. And of course Booth himself may be turned off by the idea of playing with a guard so similar to himself. |
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| OBI ENECHIONYIA | |
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Position: SF/PF Rankings and Profiles: Other Schools: Indiana, Miami, Temple, VCU, Xavier Notes: Enechionyia, unlike many of the other names on this list, hasn't been a known commodity for very long; he popped up out of seemingly nowhere last year, finding himself impressing on the AAU circuit and picking up some big offers - including one from Maryland. Major Strengths: He has really good length at 6-9 (and long arms to boot), but is likely to either be a wing or a face-up four at the next level. He can score from all three levels, with a somewhat consistent three-point shot, a mid-range game, and the ability to get to and finish at the rim. He's a very good and hard-working rebounder, as you'd expect from someone of his size. Has the tools to be dangerous defensively. Needs Improvement: He's a bit in-between positions at the moment; I'm not sure he has the lateral quickness or handle to play full-time on the perimeter, but he also lacks the bulk and post moves to be a true four. He may figure that out in time, but it's worth noting. Wherever he ends up, he'd do well to develop a post-game, as he'll get a lot of mismatches with his length. Needs to keep impressing during AAU, as his high school competition is unremarkable. Odds: Like many on this list, it may depend on how much Maryland pushes for him, something that probably won't be decided anytime soon. There are plenty of contenders for the post spot in this class, so expect performances to be a big factor. |
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| DWAYNE MORGAN | |
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Position: SF Rankings and Profiles: Other Schools Florida, Georgetown, Indiana, Missouri, N.C. State, Ohio State, Texas, UNLV Notes: The holy grail of the local class, Morgan is Baltimore's first bona fide five-star since the days Josh Selby and Will Barton, without half the crazy. He burst onto the scene in late 2011 and followed through with a series of big performances. The Harrisons and Cleare and guys like Rashad Vaughn are all well and good, but it's Morgan who I consider to be a litmus test of sorts, proof that Maryland may finally become what we all wanted them to be. Major Strengths: Morgan is long, athletic, smart, and smooth, possessing a great swingman game. Offensively, he has a very good shot in the mid-range out to three, but can also finish around the rim thanks to his top-notch leaping ability. Defensively, he's a shot-blocker on the weak side and is one of the better ones in the class. He has a huge motor and competitive streak to him, too, and isn't afraid to mix it up. He can easily fill in at the 4 if the matchup dictates it. Needs Improvement: He's a bit on the thin side, and another inch would be nice, but neither are huge concerns. He's not great off the dribble as his handle can sometimes be a little loose. He can play out-of-control at times, both with and without the ball, and that can get him in trouble. Isn't a sniper from deep. Odds: Frankly, if Maryland really wants him and doesn't get him, it'll be something of a disappointment. He's from Baltimore (cough*Bino*cough). He plays for an Under Armour AAU team. Maryland was one of the first to offer him. They've played the game and have proven themselves enough on the trail and the court. Surprises always happen (especially with Texas and Indiana hanging around) but this makes a lot of sense. |
| TRAYVON REED | |
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Position: C Rankings and Profiles: Other Schools: Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida St., Georgia, Georgia Tech, Miami, Mississippi Notes: Reed's the second big-time product from the Atlanta Under Armour-sponsored AAU team, and just like the last one - Robert Carter - Maryland figures to be a prominent factor. I'm not sure if post players are a huge need in this class, but if Maryland's looking for a giant to replace Alex Len, Reed's a good like-for-like fit. Major Strengths: He's listed at 7-1 and that looks legitimate; at worst he's 6-11. Throw in a huge wingspan and live legs, and he's probably effectively the longest player in the country in this class. He's athletic and runs the floor very well, which combined with his length makes him a monster on the break. As you'd expect, he's a terror as a shot-blocker and a good rebounder as well. Needs Improvement: He's a beanpole at this point, with even less weight on him than Alex Len had coming in (though obviously Reed has more time). He'll get pushed around by bulkier guys despite his height, and that'll make things tougher for him. He's also very raw; his offensive game at this point consists mostly of dunks and easy buckets around the rim. He's not really close to being a primary offensive weapon right now. Odds: He says he'll visit College Park at some point, so it looks like there's some interest. Like many guys from the South, though, expect him to be a tough pull. Reed won't lack for options, so I expect this'll depend on how Maryland fares on the court between now and then. |
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| ROMELO TRIMBLE | |
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Position: PG / SG Rankings and Profiles: Maryland Was Better Than: Cincinnati, Miami, Rutgers, UNLV, Villanova, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Xavier Notes: Trimble's been one of D.C. Assault's big prospects for awhile now, but he still managed to sail somewhat under the radar. A big spring and summer in 2012 drew him some more attention and a Maryland offer, and he decided to wrap things up in early December. Major Strengths: He has a great set of intangibles: he's crafty, understands the game well, is a good passer, and isn't afraid to be a leader. He's experienced and doesn't force much or make many mistakes. Has decent height for the combo but a great frame; he should be able to bully some smaller guards. Not lightning-quick but has a good first step. He can get his own buckets, especially with his shot. Hard worker and good defender. Needs Improvement: Lacks explosiveness and athleticism, which will keep him from being an elite recruit and hinder him at the highest level of the game. He's been a bit more of an off-guard than a point throughout his carer, but his height means he'll have to be at least a combo and potentially a full-time point and may have some developing to do there. |
| DION WILEY | |
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Position: SG Rankings and Profiles: Other Schools: Cincinnati, Georgetown, Miami, N.C. State, Rutgers, Virginia, Virgina Tech Notes: Another bigger name from the D.C. area, Wiley has all the local offers you'd expect, including one from Maryland. Mark Turgeon doesn't lack for options out on the wins, but Wiley's a shooter and local, and those can only help him. Major Strengths: Wiley's a ready-made shooting guard. He's not particularly long, but has a great frame and is athletic enough that I don't expect that to be a problem. His biggest asset is his killer stroke - he's probably the best long-range shooter on Maryland's board, and if they're looking for a specialist he's the guy. He's not one-dimensional, though; he has the handle and quickness to get his own shot off the dribble or slash to the rim. Needs Improvement: He's not exactly consistent defensively despite good physical tools to be a difference-maker on that end. He also has some concerns over academics, as he sat out last year for Potomac for the same reason. He's a pure 2-guard - no combo here - so you'd in an ideal world like him to be an inch or two taller if he's a starter at this level. Odds: The competition for his services may not be Kansas and Duke, but for a local kid Georgetown and UVA aren't to be trifled with. With the work they put in on the trail, Maryland should be getting into a position where they can grab a kid like Wiley, but it'll all depend on who their priority is. |
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| RASHAD VAUGHN | |
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Position: SG Rankings and Profiles: Other Schools: Baylor, Duke, Florida State, Illinois, Iowa State, Kansas, Louisville, Kentucky, Minnesota, North Carolina, Texas Notes: Minnesota isn't exactly a Maryland recruiting hotbed - or a recruiting hotbed at all, I guess. But Vaughn is one of the country's most promising wings, and hey - he plays for an Under Armour AAU team, so might as well send an offer out, right? Major Strengths: Vaughn's a star in the making. He has very good physical tools to play the wing, with good height, long arms, a big frame, and very good athleticism. He's a very well-developed and dangerous offensive weapon, with deep range on his jumper and a nice little mid-range game. He makes good use of the latter to keep defenders honest when he slashes to the rim, which he does with ease. Offensively, there's very little that Vaughn can't do. Has a scorer's mentality and a scorer's confidence. Needs Improvement: While he can hit from almost anywhere on the floor, his three-point jumper can be streaky at times, especially if he's not already in rhythm. He isn't great off the ball and doesn't do a lot of creating for others; he's elite with the ball in his hands trying to score, but has some concerns elsewhere. Odds: Maryland's in his top-whatever list, so clearly there's some mutual interest. The Under Armour connection and Big Ten geography are bonuses for Maryland that few of their competition can boast, which should help them out. But there are some elite schools on that list, and Maryland needs to prove themselves a worthy alternative. We're talking top-seven seed this season. |
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