Report: Damonte Dodd Plans to Sign Next Week (Plus Highlights!)

Aside from Sam Cassell Jr., the only big remaning question for Maryland's 2012 class was the status of Damonte Dodd, the under-the-radar 6-9 post player from Queen Anne's. Via Josh Barr, question answered:

Damonte Dodd, a 6-foot-9 forward from Queen Anne's County, said Tuesday he plans to sign his National Letter of Intent next week during an official visit to Maryland, which means he'll be on the Terrapins' roster for the 2012-13 season. Dodd said he has not been informed yet whether the Maryland coaches plan to redshirt him next season.

He's fully-qualified, or at least on track to be; his coach says he's ready to go, and if there are any "lingering issues" he'll do some extra work to get to College Park next year. If he hadn't improved on his SAT, it sounds like he would've been heading to do a prep year at Notre Dame in Fitchburg, Ma., the same place where Sam Cassell Jr. made his name. (Northeast prep connection alert!)

No matter, though: it sounds like he did qualify, so he'll be on campus for next season. Whether or not he plays, though, is still up in the air; his coach says the plan was to redshirt him, but Dodd hasn't been told officially one way or the other.

I'm thinking the preference would be for him to redshirt, but that's mostly just to get him up to the speed of the game. With Ashton Pankey, Shaquille Cleare, Charles Mitchell, Alex Len and James Padgett all ready to play there's no need to force Dodd into playing before he's ready. At the same time, though, there's a chance he'd be able to break into that rotation if he proves himself ahead of schedule in practices. That's ultimately a call for Turgeon; I wouldn't expect Dodd's role to be particularly big either way, unless there's an injury or some unexpected attrition.

Oh, and while we're on the topic of Dodd: is this his first highlight reel? (H/T to nmprisons in the FanShots)

You can tell almost nothing from these, of course. But he's clearly athletic and has a great physique; it's pretty easy to see the potential here. I've always thought he looks a bit like Thomas Robinson, and I'm still thinking that should be his model as much as possible. He's still a little awkward, but that should come with time and comfort.

Also: first look at D.C. Assault's new Under Armour duds. Also: wait, Eddie Jordan's coaching AAU basketball now?