5-star Maryland SG target Keldon Johnson to announce decision next week

It’s the first day of the early basketball signing period. From today until next Wednesday, prospects can sign their National Letters of Intent. Maryland’s three commits are expected to sign in this early window, and there might be more.

Five-star shooting guard Keldon Johnson will announce his decision next week. A specific day hasn’t been chosen—it’ll be by Wednesday at the latest, because that’s when the signing period ends—but his announcement is expected to be televised.

Johnson’s top four includes Maryland, Kentucky, Texas and NC State, but the Terps and Wildcats have seemingly separated themselves. Most reports and Crystal Balls give Kentucky the edge and the momentum at this point.

The nation’s No. 15 player and No. 2 shooting guard, per the 247Sports Composite rankings, would become the headliner of a Maryland class already ranked sixth in the nation.

If he changes plans and delays his decision, then he won’t be able to sign for nearly five months. The second basketball signing period runs from April 11 to May 16.

In other news

Speaking of those three commits ... Aaron Wiggins is taking care of his NLI this morning.

Three-star center Kenneth Nwuba, who seemed like one of the Terps’ backup plans if they didn’t land five-star Moses Brown, has pledged to UCLA.

The new College Football Playoff rankings are out. Maryland (shockingly) isn’t on the list, but Northwestern sneaking in at No. 25 means that eight of the Terps’ 12 opponents this season are or have been featured in one of the major rankings. That’s ... a lot.

Maryland baseball announced its full schedule for 2018. It’ll be an action-filled spring.

Twitter gave everybody 280 characters, so I did an experiment.

And of course, Markquese Bell has left the University of Maryland. Kudos to Jared for being on top of that and getting the scoop. It’s a fun thing, but the news cycle never stops. We’ve got plenty of reporting left to do.