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Maryland Basketball: Sam Cassell Jr. will transfer

By Chris Bengel

Nov 14, 2014; Storrs, CT, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard Sam Cassell Jr. (10) shoots against Bryant University Bulldogs forward Dan Garvin (22) during the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2014; Storrs, CT, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard Sam Cassell Jr. (10) shoots against Bryant University Bulldogs forward Dan Garvin (22) during the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Maryland basketball team had a commitment from Sam Cassell Jr. back in 2012.

Now he’s back on the market for the taking once again.

Cassell will graduate this spring from Connecticut and transfer out of the program. The former Maryland commit averaged 3.1 points-per-game during his two years with the Huskies.

He will be eligible immediately.

After playing 15.1 minutes-per-game and averaging 3.9 ppg during the 2014-15 season, Cassell saw his playing time take a big-time dip this past season due to the crowded backcourt that also included Sterling Gibbs, Daniel Hamilton, and Rodney Purvis.

Cassell originally was part of Maryland’s 2012 class that was supposed to help put coach Mark Turgeon on the map at Maryland. After Cassell had to attend junior college due to academic issues, the 2012 class included Seth Allen, Shaquille Cleare, Jake Layman, and Charles Mitchell.

The 2012 class was a very mysterious one because only Layman stuck around his finish out his collegiate career in College Park. Center Damonte Dodd was originally part of the class, but ended up taking a prep year at Massanutten Military Academy (Va.).

Cassell ended up committing to UConn after a year at Chipola College (Fla.). While in the junior college ranks, he averaged 18.4 ppg and 3.7 assists-per-game.

Cassell certainly would be someone that Turgeon may target on the transfer market.

Maryland is in need of depth at shooting guard with Rasheed Sulaimon leaving the program. The Terps will get Dion Wiley back after he missed the entire 2015-16 season due to a knee injury.

Incoming freshman Kevin Huerter is expected to garner playing time right away, but adding an experienced two-guard like Cassell would allow Turgeon to take his time in developing Huerter.

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Given that Cassell is a combo guard, he could also have value at point guard if Melo Trimble were to leave for the NBA.