A year after being considered the team?s weakness, Maryland sophomore guard Greivis Vasquez is viewed by Coach Gary Williams as the Terrapins? biggest strength.
Vasquez arrived in College Park a wiry, energetic guard from Venezuela and concluded his freshman season as the team?s best all-around offensive player.
“We relied on him last year. He didn?t know it when he got here, but he was very important for us last year,” Williams said. “What Greivis has is this innate ability to want to compete. If I gave a pep talk before a game, which I don?t do all the time, I could put Greivis in another room and not talk to him. He would get himself ready to play.”
The 6-foot-6, 190-pounder averaged 9.8 points and a team-best 4.6 assists per game last season, as he lived up to the hype he created by being one of the nation?s top high school players at Montrose Christian School in Rockville
“I had a great experience last year,” Vasquez said. “It was my freshman year and I didn?t know anything. After the season, I said, ?I need to work on my shot, work on my defense, and become a better player all-around.? I think I?m doing better now, but I?m not satisfied.”
Vasquez will line up in the back court next to classmate Eric Hayes, as both have the ability to play point guard, which gives Maryland two players who can run the offense.
After struggling shooting the ball from beyond the three-point arc ? he made just 31-of-98 ? last year, Vasquez showed he should be able to provide perimeter scoring, as he made 4-of-6 of his three-point shots in a recent scrimmage.
“He?s going to be huge, man,” senior power forward Bambale Osby said. “He and Eric [Hayes] are going to be the best two three-point shooters we?ve got. They?re going to have to shoot them. Their ability to hit that shot opens up the middle for us.”
Vasquez also has the ability to change the gamewith his infectious energy, as he pumps his fist and is known for his boisterous yell ? both of which irritate opponents.
“Greivis, as you saw last year, is not afraid to put it out there sometimes. I?m not going to pull him back, because I want that as part of our team,” Williams said. “A good team has swagger. They?re not cocky, but they have a certain swagger.”
This summer, Vasquez played for the Venezuelan National Team in the FIBA Americas Championships, as he competed against numerous NBA stars, including Kobe Bryant. However, Williams sees Vasquez using the experience to motivate him to enjoy his college career instead of trying to leave as quickly as he can to pursue an NBA career.
“He just gets excited. He is excited to have the opportunity to play basketball,” Williams said. “It?s a dream of his to play in the ACC, and he hasn?t forgotten it.”
