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Recently, Maryland got some good news as Baltimore guard Darryl Morsell whittled his program choices for 2017 down to five schools, a list that includes the Big Ten’s Maryland Terrapins.
A 6’4", 200 lb guard from Mount Saint Joseph high school, Morsell has been called one of the break-out stars from this summer’s AAU. As for where he’s leaning, there’s no clear indication just yet. Morsell told Madehoops:
"They (Maryland) are close in proximity to me and I grew up watching them. . .I’ve gotten to learn a lot about their program and I’m happy to have a strong relationship with them." To be fair, he also gave love to each of the other programs on his list, calling reigning national champion Villanova "a great guard school", Virginia Tech "up and coming", Notre Dame "prestigious", and Dayton a program that’s building a winner.
He’s currently unranked on 247Sports but just from a quick glance at the below highlight video, one sees quick decision-making, ability to score from multiple positions, willingness to push the offense, and good defensive footwork. With his size and speed, there’s a good chance he’ll contribute immediately to whichever team he chooses.
As Testudo Times has noted, Mark Turgeon has done a fine job in his first half decade in turning around the program’s recruiting rankings after inheriting a depleted roster. He’s cracked the recruiting top fifteen nationally three times in five years after Maryland was out of the top thirty consistently towards the end of Gary Williams’ illustrious career.
Those efforts have born fruit the past two years, as Turgeon’s squad has won fifty-five games and over seventy percent of their conference contests in their first two Big Ten seasons. With junior guard Melo Trimble back and looking to regain his shooting stroke, and a talented crop of incoming freshmen this year, the Terps appear poised to continue their recent success. Trimble is the latest in a long line of successful Maryland guards, including Greivis Vasquez, Steve Blake, Juan Dixon, and Steve Francis.
While anything can happen, obviously, between now and Morsell’s decision, don’t be surprised if he carries on the Maryland guard tradition and the Terrapins add another solid block of players in 2017.