Maryland Basketball: 5 Prospects the Terps Need to Land
Mar 20, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach Mark Turgeon reacts during the second half against the Valparaiso Crusaders in the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
The Maryland basketball program is one that is on the rise, and fast. Mark Turgeon’s squad is primed and ready for a deep run well into March. Led by sophomore guard Melo Trimble, senior forward Jake Layman, incoming freshman big man Diamond Stone, and Duke transfer Rasheed Sulaimon, the Terps have been dubbed as an early favorite to be national champions in the 2015-16 season.
However, the Terps need to enjoy this season, because the complexion of the team may look quite different after this upcoming season, with the possibility of losing Layman, Trimble, and Stone to the NBA Draft. Turgeon and his staff will need to start looking for replacements for those players the Terps may lose. Here are five Class of 2016 prospects the Maryland basketball program should be taking a closer look at.
PF Harry Giles (High Point, NC)
Giles, who is the No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2016, is certainly a long-shot for the Terps to land, but he is a player whom they need. Maryland is expected to lose some star power after next season, so Giles, without question, could fill that void. If Diamond Stone decides to stay for two years, just imagine a frontcourt of Stone and Giles. That’s what you call unstoppable.
C Udoka Azubuike (Jacksonville, FL)
If the Terps do, in fact, have to replace Stone after his freshman season, they should be pushing hard for Azubuike. He is a five-star prospect and his ranked 19th overall by the ESPN300. Florida State is currently the favorite to land Azubuike, but Maryland definitely could make a push if they have a dominant season in 2015.
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SG Markelle Fultz (Upper Marlboro, MD)
Maryland is really gaining steam with ‘The Movement,’ which is all about recruiting talent from the DMV area to join the Terps, particularly in football and basketball. This would be a perfect opportunity to land Markelle Fultz, who is a rising senior at DeMatha Catholic. Fultz, a five-star prospect, is the top player on Maryland’s recruiting board. He would be a great backcourt running mate for four-star point guard Anthony Cowan, who is already committed to the Terps.
G Mustapha Heron (Waterbury, CT)
Heron is considered a combo guard and he’s the type of player Maryland could use with Melo Trimble likely leaving after this season. He was once committed to Pittsburgh, but he de-committed from the Panthers in April. Heron is rated the third best combo guard in the class and the top prospect in the state of Connecticut.
SF Lamar Stevens (Jenkintown, PA)
Stevens is a guy who should be high on the Terps’ list. He figures to be a pretty good replacement for Jake Layman, who is graduating next spring. He is a four-star prospect and rated the 13th best small forward in the Class of 2016. He has good size and athleticism, which would be a great fit for the Terps.