April 13, 2007

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - University of Maryland men's basketball coach Gary Williams announced Friday (April 13) that Cliff Tucker (El Paso, Texas/Chapin HS) has signed a National Letter of Intent with the Terrapins. Tucker, a 6-foot-5 guard, will be eligible for the Terps for the 2007-08 season. He is rated the No. 89 prospect in the country and No. 6 in Texas by Rivals.com.

As a senior, Tucker averaged 21.4 points, 10.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 4.4 steals and 2.8 blocked shots playing for coach Tom Shukit at Chapin High School in El Paso, Texas. He was named the 2006-07 El Paso Times All-City Boys Basketball Team Co-MVP following his senior season. Tucker also garnered 4A all-state honors in 2007 and was named to the TABC Class 4A all-state team as a senior. He participated in the 2007 Capital Classic at Comcast Center earlier this month.

A two-sport star who also lettered in football, Tucker is a three-time all-district honoree and earned all-city plaudits in each of his final three seasons playing basketball at Chapin. As a junior he posted 19.9 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 4.5 steals per contest. Tucker chose Maryland over Clemson, Texas A&M and UTEP.

"Cliff is a tremendous athlete who competed in both football and basketball," said Williams. "He's a versatile player who can play a number of positions for us. Cliff has great ball-handling skills for a player 6-foot-5 and we're looking forward to him contributing right away for us this season."

Tucker will join four other student-athletes who signed last fall. Adrian Bowie (Greenbelt, Md./Montrose Christian), Braxton Dupree (Baltimore, Md./Calvert Hall), Dino Gregory (Baltimore, Md./Mt. St. Joseph), and Shane Walker (Alexandria, Va./Montrose Christian HS) all signed with Maryland during the early signing period in November.