Men's Basketball Inks Top-20 Class During Early Signing Period
11/10/2005 7:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 10, 2005
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland has signed one of the Top-20 recruiting classes in the country, after inking combo guard Greivis Vasquez from Montrose Christian and small forward Landon Milbourne from Oak Hill Academy, head coach Gary Williams announced Thursday. The Terps also signed one of the nation's top point guards, Eric Hayes from Potomac (Va.) High School and power forward Jerome Burney from Westlake High School in Atlanta on Wednesday. Rivals.com has tabbed Maryland's early signing class as the 18th best in the country.
"As I said yesterday, we feel each player will add something different to the program," said Williams, who is preparing for his 17th season as the Terps' head coach. "They all fit in well at Maryland, not only as basketball players, but also academically. We are looking for all four players to make an immediate impact."
Vasquez, a native of Caracas, Venezuela, averaged 12.6 points, 6.1 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game last season for legendary coach Stu Vetter at Montrose Christian in Rockville, Md., which is ranked No. 2 in the nation by Street & Smith's heading into this season. The 6-foot-5 guard has been tabbed one of the top 65 players in the country and one of the top 15 shooting guards in this year's signing class by Rivals.com. Vasquez, who played with Boo Williams' AAU squad last spring and summer, chose Maryland over Gonzaga, NC State and Georgia Tech.
"Greivis is an old-fashioned guard who can handle the ball, shoot and rebound," said Williams. "He has a complete game and is a tremendous competitor."
"He's one of the best guards in the country without a question," said Vetter, who also coached former ACC standouts Randolph Childress and Dennis Scott. "He's really a true point guard at the college level. He has a tremendous ability to see the floor and he finds the open man."
Recruiting expert Dave Telep from ScoutHoops.com has called Vazquez, "...one of the more versatile players in the 2006 class who will do anything to contribute, and makes all the hustle plays."
Milbourne averaged 23.0 points and 9.0 rebounds a game last season. The 6-foot-6, 200-pound left-handed slasher is rated as one of the top 15 small forwards in the country. Milbourne will play his senior season for coach Steve Smith at Oak Hill Academy, which went 33-2 last season and is ranked No. 3 nationally heading into the 2005-06 campaign. The Roswell, Ga., native chose Maryland over Georgia, Tennessee and Colorado.
"Landon is a long, versatile forward who fits in well with our pressing and defensive philosophies," said Williams.
Hayes averaged 18.9 points, 6.4 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 2.75 steals last season for his father, Kendall, at Potomac High. The 6-foot-3 point guard helped lead the Panthers to a 28-1 record as Potomac lost in the quarterfinals of the Virginia State Tournament after winning the Cedar Run District and Northwestern Region titles. He also shot 85 percent from the free throw line and 57 percent from the field en route to Virginia Class 3-A First-Team All-State honors. Hayes, who is the ninth-ranked point guard in the country by Rivals.com, chose Maryland over Georgetown, NC State, Miami, Boston College and Ohio State.
"Eric is a talented point guard and excellent shooter," said Williams. "He has a chance to be an outstanding point guard in our program."
"I am exited about being part of the Maryland tradition," said Hayes. "I really like the coaching staff and look forward to playing in front of a great fan base at Maryland."
Burney averaged 12.0 points, 13.0 rebounds and 6.5 blocks per game for coach Darren Rogers at Westlake High School last season. The 6-foot-9, 220-pound power forward helped lead the Lions to a 27-4 mark and the Elite Eight of the Georgia High School Tournament as a junior. Burney, who chose Maryland over Alabama, Clemson and UAB, had five triple-doubles last season, including single-game bests of 15 blocks and 19 rebounds.
"Jerome is a big man who can run the floor well and has great offensive upside," said Williams. "His timing and instincts as a shot blocker will really add another dimension to the defense."
The Terps' 2005-06 roster features 10 upperclassmen, including seniors Nik Caner-Medley, Chris McCray, Travis Garrison and Sterling Ledbetter.
2005 Maryland Basketball SigneesPlayer Ht. Wt. Pos. Hometown (High School) Jerome Burney 6-9 220 F Atlanta, Ga. (Westlake HS) Eric Hayes 6-3 175 G Dunfries, Va. (Potomac HS) Landon Milbourne 6-6 210 F Roswell, Ga. (Oak Hill Academy) Greivis Vasquez 6-5 185 G Caracas, Venezuela (Montrose Christian)
