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Maryland Basketball: Top 10 NBA draft picks

By Chris Bengel

Feb 13, 2016; College Park, MD, USA; A general view of the Cole Field House center court prior to the game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Wisconsin Badgers at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2016; College Park, MD, USA; A general view of the Cole Field House center court prior to the game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Wisconsin Badgers at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 27, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) guards Phoenix Suns center Alex Len (21) during the second half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns won 111-106. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) guards Phoenix Suns center Alex Len (21) during the second half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns won 111-106. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 8 Alex Len

When Turgeon landed the services of Alex Len, it was unknown what kind of player Maryland was getting. Len played professionally in the Ukraine before bringing his talents to the United States. As a freshman, it was clear that Len was an incredibly raw prospect, but there were certainly flashes of brilliance throughout that season. During his first year with the Terps, Len averaged 6.0 points and 5.4 rebounds on a very bad team.

Then something clicked heading into his sophomore season. In Maryland’s season opener against Kentucky, Len absolutely dominated highly-touted big man Nerlens Noel to the tune of 23 points and 12 rebounds. The Terps did fall 72-69, but it was not any fault of Len’s. It was one of six double-doubles for the Ukrainian star during the 2012-13 season. Len nearly single-handedly carried Maryland to the NCAA Tournament, but instead had to settle for the NIT.

With the type of sophomore season that Len had, it wasn’t a huge surprise when the big man declared for the NBA Draft. Ironically, Len was selected one pick before Noel, who ended up being traded on draft night to the Philadelphia 76ers. Len suffered through an injury-plagued rookie season in the NBA and only played 8.6 minutes a night. In each of the next two seasons, Len’s numbers increased in a big way.

After Markieff Morris was traded to the Washington Wizards at the trade deadline this season, Len’s role increased and he finished the season averaging 9.0 points and 7.6 rebounds. In the 27 games after Morris was moved, the former Terp averaged 13.0 points and 10.3 rebounds while playing starter’s minutes.

This may a tad premature, but Len has already made tremendous strides in his brief NBA career. If he continues to play big-time minutes, he could blossom into a star in Phoenix.

Next: Consistency on the national title team