Taking a look at 2017 Maryland basketball five-star target Mohammed Bamba

Two early front runners for the Maryland Terrapins 2017 recruiting class are power forward Mohammed Bamba and point guard Quade Green. Both players hail from the state of Pennsylvania and early signs show Maryland in the tentative top five for both players. Today, we take a look at Bamba and what he could bring to Maryland.

Mohammed Bamba is a six foot, nine inch lean, mean dunking machine, who possesses an athletic ability that easily allows him to finish with authority around the basket. He also appears to be a great shot blocker who can really elevate around the rim. Bamba would probably have to put on some additional weight to competently compete down low with Big Ten caliber talent. He might remind you of a young Ekene Ibekwe in terms of his one-handed slams and skinny frame.

It is clear Mark Turgeon and Maryland believe in the talent of Bamba, as Maryland's head coach extended a scholarship offer to Bamba shortly after he made a visit to Maryland on December 13. Other schools showing interest in the four-star big man include Texas, who offered him last week, Penn State, Rice, Temple, Seton Hall, Yale and Villanova.

Bamba is currently a composite 5-star according to 247sports, listed as the No. 1 player in Pennsylvania, the No. 6 power forward nationally and the No. 16 player overall. For a 5-star talent, he hasn't generated a lot of attention from some of the blue-chip college programs. That could be advantageous to Maryland, who was the first big program to extend him an offer. If Bamba continues to improve and put on some muscle, you can expect that other schools are going to be vying for his services.

Here is a highlight video of Bamba showing off some monster dunks, blocks and hitting the 3-ball: