Anthony Cowan should be more than just Melo Trimble’s backup for Maryland basketball

Maryland basketball tips off its season against American on Nov. 11. Until then, we’re profiling every member of the team.

Anthony Cowan, point guard

Height: 6’0

Weight: 170 pounds

Year: Freshman

High school: St. John’s College High School (D.C)

Jersey No.: 0

How Cowan got to College Park

The Terps’ only local recruit in the Class of 2016 committed to Maryland last January, and his stock has risen ever since. Cowan was the top recruit in Maryland and the No. 11 point guard in the country, according to the 247Sports Composite. He was the first player to join the Terps’ 2016 class, which has since added four other members. While at St. John’s, he won the WCAC title as a senior.

High school highlights

2016-17 prospectus

He’s one of three freshmen poised to contribute big time right away for a young Maryland team. He’s been pushing Melo Trimble and the Terps’ other guards in practice with his infuriating defensive intensity, so his game seems developed enough on that end. In addition, he could slide right in as Trimble’s primary backup on offense. That role belonged to Rasheed Sulaimon for most of last year, as Mark Turgeon waited to integrate Jaylen Brantley into the lineup until late in the season.

He projects as much more of a true point guard than Trimble, who’s a scorer first.

"I think we both can shoot the ball very well,” Cowan told Testudo Times back in April. “I think I impact the game a little bit more on the defensive end, and I think he's a better finisher around the basket, more than me, just because of how much bigger he is than me right now. But I think our games are so similar. We both got our teammates involved very well, and I think if we were able to do that together, I think it would be hard to stop."

Maryland will certainly need Trimble’s driving and shooting abilities on a team that lacks true scoring threats, but if Cowan’s ball-handling and distributing skills are developed enough that he can play big minutes early, that’ll be a huge help.

If Cowan’s ready, we should see a lineup where he plays the point and Trimble plays off-ball. At the very least, Cowan will definitely compete for minutes with Brantley.

What a dream season might look like

Cowan takes the reigns as Trimble’s backup and readies himself for a role as Maryland’s starting point guard next season. His offense is equal to his persistent defense, and he’s an important sixth man for a team in need of scorers.

Next player in the series..

This freshman was a late addition to Maryland’s 2016 class.

Standings

kirby.oconnell.3 and PeachesTerp are our two winners so far.