Maryland Terps Recruiting Nuggets: Basketball

Nov 12, 2012; Baltimore, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach Mark Turgeon tosses a ball to the referee during their game against the Morehead State Eagles at the Comcast Center. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Mark Turgeon and his staff have been quite busy since the “live” period began, handing out offer after offer without breaking a sweat. TerrapinStationMD has already covered the possible 2013 transfers that could end up in Terps red and white this coming season. Here is a look at some realistic 2014 hoops targets, as well as a couple 2015 class nuggets:

Dion Wiley (SG, Potomac HS) – Wiley remains the Terps #1 priority in the 2014 class. The word around the campfire is that the Terps are in the driver’s seat to land Wiley, despite a coveted Florida offer. With the recent commit of Eli Carter (along with the other 5 guards UF now has in their backcourt), the Gators don’t appear to be a huge factor. The Terps biggest competition seems to be Cincinnati and Miami (they seem to be really pushing their big year this past season and obvious available playing time to get Wiley on board). Other schools such as Virginia and Georgetown are in play, but Maryland has really positioned themselves well with Wiley. The Terps are desperate for shooters, and Wiley is as good as they come (if you don’t believe me, he leads the Nike EYBL Tournament in 3-pointers made while shooting close to 50% doing it…wow).

Tre Campbell (PG, St. John’s College HS) – Turgeon surprised everyone when he offered little known Tre Campbell last week. The Team Takeover floor general was receiving interest from a lot of mid-major schools, but has really has blossomed during the AAU season. Since his Maryland offer, he has picked up offers from Pittsburgh, Xavier, and now Georgetown. The Terps are in good position, and the speedy energetic guard is scheduled to visit College Park in June. A lot can happen until then, but Turgeon obviously likes Campbell a ton (FYI, Campbell just finished the second Nike EYBL session with 25 assists to only 8 turnovers).

Obi Enechionyia (PF, Hargrave Military Academy) – Things have cooled down recently for Obi. An injury cost him the second session of the Nike ETBL in Hampton, VA. But Obi is still generating plenty of interest. Maryland, along with Notre Dame, Villanova, and Indiana are in good position. Then schools like Temple, Xavier, Miami and VCU round out his list. Something to keep an eye on; Obi wants to be a small forward as opposed to a power forward in college. This could alter the Terps plans slightly, but if Obi can maintain his skill level and improve his ball handling skills at the new position, the Terps will continue to recruit him.

Phil Booth (SG, Mount St. Joseph) – With the recent push for Dion Wiley, Booth appears to have moved on from the Terps. He still lists Maryland, hence him being on this list. But the Terps trails schools such as Indiana, Villanova, Georgetown and Temple. And despite a good showing in the Nike EYBL, it doesn’t appear that Maryland will make his top five.

Martin Geben (PF, St. Maria Goretti) – Geben’s stock is on the rise, and Maryland jumped in with an offer at the right time. Geben, another product of Team Takeover, has since received offers from Villanova, Virginia and Notre Dame. The Lithuanian currently leads his AAU squad in rebounds, steals and blocks while also shooting above 50% from the field in EYBL action. Maryland is right up there on Gebens list, and it could be an old classic MD vs. UVA battle for Geben’s services.

Donte Grantham (SF, Martinsburg HS) – After leading his high school to a West Virginia state championship, Grantham’s stock blew up. At 6’7”, he is a high flyer who can do it all on the statsheet. West Virginia is the favorite, but it all depends on if he decides to re-class to 2014 (he is currently considered a 2013 recruit). If so, his recruitment will be wide open. The good news is that Maryland will be right in there battling. The bad news is that his re-classing will open the door for a number of other schools to get their foot in the door.

Terry Larrier (SF, Phelps School) – Larrier received a Maryland offer last week, and the Terps offer will not be the last for this 6’8” bouncing ball of talent. The once unknown Larrier has now received offers from Maryland, Pittsburgh, Temple, St. John’s, West Virginia, and a slew of other schools. Even at 6’8” he can guard position’s 1-4 with his quickness and height (also possesses great defensive instinct). The Bronx native will narrow things down in July, and most likely decide by the fall.

Jared Nickens (SG, Westtown School) – Like Larrier, Nickens stock is blowing up fast. Once considered a mid-major recruit, Nickens has picked up offers from Maryland, St. Johns, Oklahoma, Miami, Temple, Wake Forest, South Florida, and many others. While not claiming any favorites, look for Nickens to decide by the end of summer.

Jacquil Taylor (C, Beaver County Day) – Once considered a surefire Maryland target (and possible commit), Taylor broke a bone in his foot and will miss the AAU circuit until the end of summer. Turgeon will need to assess his health and skill level when he returns. Until then, it’s best to put this one on the backburner until he returns.

Goodluck Okonoboh (C, Wilbraham & Monson Academy) – The Terps staff recently visited arguably one of the nation’s best shot blockers in school last week. Okonoboh is receiving interest from all over, and Maryland will have its work cut out for them if they wish to land this one. He lists Maryland, but shools such as Gonzaga, Connecticut, Indiana, Marquette, Missouri and Syracuse are all on the list as well…tough competition indeed.

Trayvon Reed (C, Shiloh HS) – This 7’1” shot-blocking machine is really starting to realize his potential. Turgeon and his staff saw firsthand what Reed can do (especially on defense) a couple weeks ago in Pittsburgh. The issue is that he is receiving all the attention that a southern recruit would (schools like Florida, FSU, Alabama, Georgia, GT, Auburn, Miami, etc.) If this was football, the Terps chances would be slim to none, but they have a real shot at landing Reed. Still, getting him out of the south will be a tough job for Turgeon.

Chinanu Onuaku (C, Riverdale Baptist) – The Terps have offered Onuaku, and the interest seems to be mutual. Onuaku likes the Terps a good deal, but he is in no rush to commit. And why would he? His offer sheet is just starting to pile up with the likes of Maryland, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Seton Hall, Xavier, among others. Onuaku is still a tad under the radar, but it’s clear that Turgeon is desperate for some rim protectors in the Alex Len mold.

Paschal Chukwu (C, Fairfield College Prep School) – Chukwu’s recruitment is a breath of fresh air. He has narrowed his schools down to only those that have strong academics, as he is very serious about his studies. But at 7’2” and a solid 230 lbs of muscle, schools like Georgetown, NC State, Notre Dame, and Connecticut are turning up the heat. Chukwu’s coach has made it clear that Paschal will remain in the Mid-Atlantic region, so Maryland has as strong a chance as anyone to land this blossoming prospect.

These seem to be the most realistic Terps targets for the 2014 class. Along with commit Romelo Trimble, this class has the potential to be elite (top 10-15). The list clearly indicates that Turgeon wants a pure ball handler (as Trimble, Peters and Allen are still considered more combo guards than point men), as well as a big man to protect the rim. With Len and Howard’s departure, this looks to be a 4 man class, with the potential to be a 5 man class (barring any additional attrition).

With the plethora of offers for the 2014 class, let’s not forget the couple of 2015 offers that were recently made.

Bryant Crawford (PG, Gonzaga) – This elite ball handler received an offer from Maryland, and now holds offers from the Terps, Georgetown, Villanova and Indiana. Make no mistake, Crawford could very well be a top 30 talent in the 2015 class, and the Terps will be a factor in his recruitment.

Franklin Howard (SG, Paul VI) – Just like Crawford, Howard is an incredible talent who already holds offers from Ohio State, Georgetown, Cincinnati, Virginia, Miami, Villanova, among others. The good news, just like Crawford, is that Maryland will also be a factor in this recruitment as if develops.