March Madness suddenly is a lot closer for Maryland.
Terrapins guard Greivis Vasquez withdrew from the NBA draft on Monday with hours to spare. The Terps get their senior playmaker back, along with three other starters, that could propel Maryland into the ACC’s top four and second straight NCAA tournament.
Without Vasquez, the Terps would have returned to their tournament bubble status of recent years. Now, the point guard should improve on his 17.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5 assists from last season when leading Maryland to a 21-14 mark and first-round tournament win.
It was a close decision. Sources said Vasquez couldn’t find an NBA team to guarantee his selection in the second round or else he would have left. Playing overseas for $500,000 remains a possibility, though sources say it’s now a long shot.
Vasquez is caught in tweener status. He’s a very good college player, but probably not a standout pro. His passion helps excel in the ACC, but would sour on an NBA bench.
Staying another year probably won’t improve Vasquez’s pro prospects. He worked out for more than 25 teams. Vasquez is what he is — a pro reserve — and the NBA passed this time and likely will next year, too. Vasquez would need a great postseason to get drafted. Otherwise, it’s Europe in 2011, which former Terps forward Drew Nicholas has turned into a very lucrative living. It’s not LeBron money, but more than average Joes dream of earning.
Terps fans love Vasquez despite an ugly shouting match between the two at Comcast Center last season. Vasquez is probably the Terps most popular player since Steve Blake and Nicholas departed in 2003, one season after taking the national title. The Venezuelan’s frank opinions — like saying Cameron Indoor Arena was his house before a late-season meeting — are so absent from players nowadays.
When Vasquez is hot, he can carry the team. When the shots aren’t falling, it can get ugly. He’ll take bad last-second shots, too. Still, you love players with Vasquez’s passion.
The Terps return eight of their top nine scorers and seniors Eric Hayes, Landon Milbourne and Vasquez. After last year’s late run, they should mature into a team that doesn’t blow double-digit leads or get upset at home by Morgan State.
But, it all comes down to Vasquez.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com or e-mail [email protected].
