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Mark Turgeon and staff are attempting to make a late addition for Maryland basketball’s 2017 recruiting class. Four-star small forward Jamarko Pickett will begin an official visit to College Park on Friday, according to Scout.
Pickett, the No. 4 rated recruit from Virginia in his class, was originally committed to Ole Miss. However, last week he was released from his Letter of Intent by the school, reopening his recruitment.
Pickett is looking to play closer to home, only considering the Terrapins and the neighboring Georgetown Hoyas. He took a visit to Georgetown on Thursday, so it looks like he will move quickly through his re-recruitment.
He’s a top-20 small forward in his class and No. 76 overall in the Class of 2017, per 247Sports. Pickett averaged 21 points, eight rebounds and two blocks a game for Massanutten Military Academy last season, and the 6’9 forward’s game has even drawn lofty Kevin Durant comparisons.
Picket would be an excellent addition to a recruiting class that already includes two top-100 players in guard Darryl Morsell and forward Bruno Fernando, ranked No. 74 and No. 86 respectively.
Maryland still has two scholarships open at the moment, so adding Pickett would give the team some depth at the forward position. It would also leave two more scholarships available in a 2018 class that is currently ranked seventh in the country, with two top-50 commits in Aaron Wiggins and Jalen Smith.
In other news
Maryland’s home-and-home conference games for next season have been set, according to college basketball insider Jon Rothstein.
Sources: Maryland's mirror Big Ten opponents for 17-18 will be Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, Penn State, and Rutgers,
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) July 20, 2017
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Incoming freshman Bryce Brand has an opportunity to compete for snaps early, either at linebacker or at the BUCK.
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