Emerging Local Product Anthony Cowan Very High On Maryland

DC Thunder guard Anthony Cowan impressed at The Hoop Group Summer Jam Fest this past weekend in Manheim, Pa. (Mandatory Credit: Kelly Kline/Under Armour)

The Maryland men’s basketball program has been in hot pursuit of nearly every point guard on the local recruiting scene, but DC Thunder guard Anthony Cowan is one of the biggest targets for coach Mark Turgeon and his staff.

Cowan is one of the top products in the area in the 2016 class, and is someone that the Terrapins have had their eye on for quite some time. For Cowan, the interest is definitely mutual.

“Maryland is pushing the hardest right now,” Cowan said in an interview with TSMD. “I don’t know if that’s because it’s my hometown school, but right now they’re coming at me the hardest.”

The St. John’s College High School star also has offers from Florida State, Penn State, Rhode Island, and Xavier and interest from a bevy of other high-major schools. However, Cowan definitely has his eye on Maryland as the Terps make their leap into the Big Ten.

“I think they could be headed towards a championship actually,” Cowan added. “They just need somebody to step up and lead them there. Whether that’s me or whoever it is, I think they’re real close.”

Maryland will be a young team that suffers through some growing pains during the 2014-2015 season. However, if Cowan were to elect to stay home, the Terps would be a veteran-heavy squad.

With a college commitment pretty far down the road, Cowan is just trying to improve. The DC Thunder floor general is working on getting stronger and developing a more consistent jump shot.

Cowan may have only had eight points in last Friday’s opening round victory over Mid Atlantic Select in the Hoop Group Summer Jam Fest, but his impact is much deeper than putting the ball in the basket.

One of the biggest strengths for the 2016 guard is his vision. Cowan credits that to “always having his head up.” He is a very unselfish player that is always looking to make that perfect pass. Cowan had four assists in the game, including several times where he found 2016 guard Blake Francis open in the corner for a three.

One aspect of Cowan’s game that is impressive is that he doesn’t get flustered. Even with defenders right in his face, the junior guard remains calm, and is still able to dissect the defense. He can also push the tempo at times if the situations arises.

All of these attributes obviously appeal to the Terps since members of the coaching staff were spotted at Sunday’s 16U championship game.

Cowan visited Maryland unofficially back on June 24. It was one of several visits that the local product has made to College Park.

“It went real good. I talked to some of the players that have been up there for a little while now. I just asked them how they liked it. How they liked the program and how they liked the university. It was a great experience.”

While Cowan remains high on the Terps, he will still be taking visits during the summer. The St. John’s College guard will be traveling to the likes of Miami, Florida State, and Penn State.

Despite only having a few right now, it’s quite possible that Cowan will blow up this summer. If that comes to fruition, Maryland’s relentless pursuit will have been all the more important.