2009 Hoops Recruiting

Earlier I tried to tackle 2008 hoops recruiting with an in-depth look at the major prospects for Maryland. With the HS season over and the summer AAU and camp season coming up, the recruiting gurus have shifted their attention from 2007 to 2008. But at the same, they'll all be keeping an eye on 2009, as some of the top prospects in that class will soon begin to narrow their focus, and in some cases, give verbal commitments. But it's still early for the '09 recruiting season so instead of an in-depth look at the Terps' targets, here's a primer on some names to know.

For this season, the Terps will have at least one scholarship to give, most likely two, and possibly three or four if all 2008 scholarships are not used.

Terrell Vinson (SF, Montrose Christian/Baltimore Stars) - Maryland, Texas, Villanova, Syracuse

Isaiah Armwood (PF, Montrose Christian/Baltimore Stars) - Maryland, Villanova, Syracuse, Louisville

Tristan Spurlock (SF, Montrose Christian/DC Blue Devils) - ?

Greg Echinique (C, St. Benedict's/New York Metro Hawks) - Georgetown, Villanova, Rutgers, Maryland

Naji Hibbert (SG, Dematha/Team Melo) - Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia, Clemson, Syracuse

Dominic Cheek (SG, Saint Anthony's/Playaz) - Connecticut, Maryland, Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, Syracuse, Rutgers

Maurice Creek (SG, Oxon Hill/Triple Threat) - Georgetown, Maryland

Donte Taylor (PF, National Christian/DC Assault) - Maryland, Connecticut, Cincinatti, Georgetown

Wally Judge (PG, Bladensburg/DC Assault)- Georgetown, Maryland, Kansas State, Villanova, Pitt, West Virginia

Akeem Richmond (PG, Southern Lee/D-One Sports) - Maryland, Florida, North Carolina, North Carolina State, UAB, Wake Forest, Georgia Tech

Oscar Griffin (SF, American Christian/Team Final) - LSU, Maryland, Wisconsin

Daniel Orton (PF, Bishop Mcguinness/Compton Magic) - Maryland, Oklahoma, Kansas, Florida, Auburn, Oklahoma State

Karron Johnson (PF, Mount Zion/Richmond Squires) - Virginia, Memphis, Maryland

Javorn Farrell (SG, Bishop Ireton/DC Assault) - Maryland, Connecticut, Kentucky, Louisville

This list will change a ton by the end of the summer. Maryland will fall of some lists, but will also make headway with new prospects. While the Terps haven't got any verbals early for the '08 class, the '06 and '06 classes all had plenty of early committs. Braxton Dupree, Dino Gregory, Eric Hayes, and Landon Milbourne had all joined the program by the first half of their junior season. With the Terps involved with so much highly regarded talent, there is a chance that the team could have one of its best recruiting classes in recent memory even with only two or three scholarships to give.