When Shaq Cleare provided his verbal to the University of Maryland 9 days ago, we talked about how we believed that could be the catalyst to extremely strong 2012, and ’13 classes for the Terps.

This Labor Day weekend, Maryland is hosting Nate Britt, Jerami Grant, Amile Jefferson, and Jake Layman. During the last few months, we have discussed each of these players with several National Recruiting Analysts. Those Analysts interviewed were Kellon Hassenstab from Hoopniks.com, Jeff Borzello from CBS Sports, and Paul Biancardi from ESPN.

Lets review the commentary those analysts provided on the four aforementioned players.

Nate Britt
Hassenstab: “I am very high on Britt, as I really think he has a complete all-around game. He doesn’t possess the elite physical build and strength the Harrison twins have, which is really the only downside. There’s no way that Britt isn’t among the Top 20 players and Top 5 points guards in his class. I’m not sure that Maryland is going to be a legitimate factor in his recruitment, unless they make up ground quickly.”

Borzello: “Nate Britt is a top-10 guy in the class, not that far behind Andrew Harrison in the point guard rankings.”

Jerami Grant
Borzello: “Grant is tracking as a very talented face-up four man who can do a lot of things. He’s improved his shooting and ball-handling, and he’s far more confident and aggressive offensively. Grant is extremely long and athletic, and he can impact a game at both ends.”

Biancardi: “Jerami Grant is another Dematha/Team Takeover player is improving at a rapid rate. He rebounds the ball with consistency while running the floor to finish a break with an enormous wing span.A face up frontcourt player who is effective from the high post on in. Both players are true miss-matches that need to play to that strength while working  on getting stronger and developing  a long range jumper.”

Amile Jefferson
Hassenstab:
“Jefferson is a do it all power forward that can slash to the cup, rebound effectively and execute his game. Jefferson plays within himself and can rack up points through energy baskets. He really has a nice feel for the game and can be a consistent double-double threat at the next level. I was highly impressed this summer with Jefferson.”

Biancardi: “Amile Jefferson at 6′ 7″ has advanced  natural instincts for the game. Everything seems to come effortlessly to him in regards to scoring/and handling the basketball. What makes him special is his ability to score in transition and how he takes advadage of his versatility. He attacks bigger defenders off the bounce or with the jumper while taking a smaller opponents closer to the basket and utilizing his length and size.”

Jake Layman
Hassenstab:
“Layman rightly received plenty of press playing for one of the best AAU teams on the circuit, BABC. He’s a valued player because he’s versatile and has huge upside. Maryland is a definite contender in landing his services, and he could develop into a dandy college player.”

2012-2013 Roster as of Today:
Guards:
Stoglin (Jr), Howard (Jr), Faust (Soph), Allen (Freshman)
SF: Parker (Jr)
Bigs: Padgett (Sr), Pankey (Jr),  Len (Soph), Cleare (Freshman)

After the addition of Len earlier this week, the Terps now have the ability to add as many as 4 additional players to the Class of ’12. Maryland is unlikely to use each of them, because they would not want one class to be overly heavy, and also due to the talent they are involved with in the Class of ’13.

Jefferson has been considered a heavy Villanova lean. Britt has been considered unlikely to come to Maryland. Here is the thing, if by chance they decided to Verbal to Maryland, the Terps are obviously not going to turn them down. The same can likely be said about Grant, and Layman; even if they are considered a step below the other two.

You add another player or two to this class of Allen, and Cleare, and all of a sudden there are only so many spots available. So, if a Guard/Wing like Terry Henderson wants to be a Terp, he better be prepared to quickly pull the trigger. Frankly as talented as bigs like Mitch McGary, Robert Carter, and Robert Upshaw are, again the same issue remains.

A very interesting weekend for the Terps, looking forward to seeing how the dominoes fall for Coach Turgeon and Maryland.

Chris Stoner
Chris Stoner

Owner

Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.

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