WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Greivis Vasquez returned back to the DMV area on Saturday night and did what he does best: lead his team to victory.  The ultra-popular and personable former Terps' guard who electrified the then-Comcast Center (now XFINITY Center) and was named the 2010 ACC Player of the Year and Bob Cousy Award recipient in his senior season returned to his adopted home as a starting guard for the one of the rising teams in the National Basketball Association - the Toronto Raptors.

Vasquez started fast, scoring the team's first five points and finishing with 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting as the visiting Raptors defeated the Washington Wizards, 120-116 in overtime, in front of a capacity crowd. Vasquez, who was also on the court as time expired in the extra period, could only smile and wave to his adoring fans who watched the Raptors post their 33rd win of the season.

"I love coming back," Vasquez said. "I'm thankful because a lot of my growth was here in D.C., the University of Maryland and the DMV. People have and continued to support me and have been behind me all the time. I love being here and that's important to me." 

Less than a week until the All Star break, Toronto is atop the Atlantic Division and is poised to have one of the top seeds when the postseason starts in April. Vasquez, who is in his second year with Toronto and his fifth overall campaign in the NBA, is evolving into one of the top guards in the Eastern Conference.

"It is a real privilege," Vasquez said. "When you play on a winning team, it is always a privilege. Right now, I consider myself a young player behind (Raptors All-Star) Kyle Lowry. I'm playing beside him and it is just a great process for me to continue to learn and get better."

Averaging 9.2 points and 3.7 assists in 340 career games (140 starts), Vasquez was selected in the first round (28th overall) of the 2010 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies.  Vasquez, however, still is passionate about the Terps' basketball program and is very excited about the current team under the direction of Maryland head coach Mark Turgeon.

"Coach Turgeon is really taking the program to another level," said Vasquez, who is second in school history with 2,071 career points scored. "He has my full support and I think they are headed in the right direction." 

Due to his ambitious 82-game regular-season NBA schedule, Vasquez has not watched as many Terps games as he would've liked but is extremely excited that this current Terps squad defeated Michigan State twice this season.  He immediately shared that his last game donning a Maryland uniform was the heart-wrenching defeat to Michigan State, 85-83, in the second round of the 2010 NCAA Tournament.

Smiling at the mention that Terps are boasting an 18-4 record and ranked No. 16 in the nation, Vasquez was asked to share some advice and wisdom to the rising Maryland basketball program.

"Don't waste any time," Vasquez said. "Stay in the gym, work hard and stay focused. If you want to reach your goal … it takes a lot of discipline."