July 15, 2004

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Former NBA World Champion and Maryland All-American Keith Booth will join the Terrapins as an assistant coach for the 2004-05 season, UM head men's basketball coach Gary Williams announced on Thursday.

Booth, a four-year starter and 1997 All-America selection, replaces former Terrapin guard and assistant coach Matt Kovarik, who announced possible plans to return to the University of Maryland law school in the fall.

"Keith Booth was the most important recruit during my years here in terms of getting our basketball program to the national level," said Williams. "Keith always achieved success against larger opponents, and his competitive attitude will carry over to our players."

Booth authored one of the finest careers in Maryland basketball history from 1994-97. The four-time All-ACC honoree led the Terrapins to four NCAA Tournaments, including a pair of Sweet Sixteen appearances, and in 1994 began Maryland's streak of what is now 11-consecutive NCAA berths. A versatile and powerful athlete, Booth led his squad in scoring (19.5 ppg), rebounding (7.9 rpg) and steals (2.0 spg) as a senior and is Maryland's career leader in free throws made (576). He is among the Terps' all-time leaders in scoring (8th, 1,776 points), rebounding (6th, 916) and steals (5th, 193) and is one of 15 players in school history to have his jersey honored above the Terps' home court at Comcast Center.

"It is a tremendous opportunity to coach at my alma mater, and at one of the top universities and basketball programs in the country," said Booth. "I'd like to thank Coach Williams, who has had a major impact on my basketball career as a player, and I look forward to working with new and old friends as we continue to uphold Maryland's proud academic and athletic tradition."

A first round draft pick of Chicago in 1997, Booth became the second player in school history to capture a NBA Championship when the Michael Jordan-led Bulls won the title in 1998. Booth returned to the Maryland campus and earned a bachelor's degree in criminology and criminal justice in 2003.

Booth's decision to attend Maryland out of Baltimore's Dunbar High School was considered one of the major recruiting windfalls for Williams and the Terps in the mid-1990s. A Parade and McDonald's All-America selection as a senior at Dunbar, he led his team to the Maryland Class "A" State Championship and was named "Player of the Year" in Baltimore City and the state of Maryland by the Baltimore Sun. A year earlier Booth led his Dunbar squad to a 29-0 record as a junior, helping the team to a No. 1 national ranking by USA Today.

Booth is the second new addition to the Terps' staff this offseason. Former Catholic University head coach Mike Lonergan was hired in late April to replace assistant Jimmy Patsos, who is now the head coach at Loyola University. Early in April, longtime assistant coach Dave Dickerson was elevated to the position of Associate Head Coach.