Last-minute Maryland SF target Jamarko Pickett commits to Georgetown

When four-star small forward Jamarko Pickett was released from his Ole Miss letter of intent on July 14, Maryland quickly emerged as his most likely landing spot. But he’s headed to Georgetown, as first reported by InsideMdSports’ Jeff Ermann.

Pickett, a 6’7 small forward from Massanutten Military Academy in Virginia, visited both the Hoyas and Terps last week and mulled his decision over for several days. Kansas reportedly tried to enter the mix, but Pickett’s choice was ultimately between the two local rivals.

He’ll be an impact player for Georgetown right away, as the Hoyas enter 2017 with a sparse roster under new head coach Patrick Ewing. Pickett wouldn’t have seen nearly as many minutes with the Terps, which surely played into his decision.

This isn’t exactly a killer for Maryland, but it is somewhat of a letdown. Pickett would have added depth on the wing, likely competing for rotation minutes with upperclassmen Jared Nickens and Dion Wiley and backing up sophomores Kevin Huerter and Justin Jackson. Instead, that equation will remain the same as it was two weeks ago. Maryland also still has two scholarships open; at this point, it seems like those will be saved for blue-chip 2018 recruits.

The Terps still enter 2017-18 with plenty of promise, but Pickett would have made them deeper and more athletic. Missing out on him, especially to a local rival with a new coach, certainly stings.