Swingman was likely headed for a lesser role in 2012-13
Maryland guard Mychal Parker has been granted his release to transfer to another school, the Terrapins announced on Monday. The 6-foot-5 rising junior averaged 4.3 points and 3.0 rebounds per game. “I have come to the realization that it is in my best interests to continue my education and my career elsewhere,” Parker said via release. “I’m very grateful for the opportunities and support I’ve gotten from the University of Maryland and coach [Mark] Turgeon. I will always consider myself a Terp for life.”
Recommended Stories
Parker took steps toward improvement last year, excelling as a defensive stopper and averaging 18 minutes, playing all 32 games last year after 14 as a freshman. Parker was likely slated for a lesser role next year however with the addition of several highly-touted recruits, including 6-8 freshman Jake Layman who plays the same position.
“We appreciate the effort and commitment Mychal made to our success and our program this season,” Turgeon said in the release. “We certainly wish him well as he continues his academic and athletic pursuits.”
The departure frees up another scholarship, which could be used on Michigan’s 6-8 Evan Smotrycz, who averaged 7.7 points and 4.9 rebounds this year as a sophomore, shooting 44 percent from beyond the arc. Last week, Smotrycz told Scout.com that Maryland was among the six schools he was considering in addition to Colorado, Providence, Xavier, Baylor, and Clemson.
Another Maryland player who could be crowded out of playing time is 6-9 rising sophomore Ashton Pankey. He began last year as a starter, but his playing time was inconsistent as he was often an occupant of Turgeon’s dog house. Three incoming freshmen — Shaquille Cleare, Charles Mitchell, and Damonte Dodd — play the four and five spots, along with returning starters Alex Len and James Padgett.
