Maryland Basketball: Key players to watch on Terps for 2020-21 season
By Sean Cole
X-factors for Maryland Basketball in 2020-21
One of the biggest surprises from last year’s Maryland team was the play of Donta Scott. The 6-7 225lb Sophomore from Philadelphia, PA had an outstanding freshman campaign in College Park. Scott averaged 5.9 points per game, 3.6 rebounds per game, 43% field goal percentage, and had an 84.6% free throw percentage.
What impressed most people and in particular Maryland coach Mark Turgeon and his staff, was Scott’s toughness and his workmen like attitude on both ends of the court. Scott does all the things that never really show up on the stat sheet.
Scott will be expected to play a much larger role on offense for this year’s Terp’s, as Scott can shoot the 3, as well as playing inside and he adds another dimension to the mix as well. There have been some comparisons of Scott’s game to that of Maryland great Dez Wells, which says a lot about the potential that Scott possesses.
The Terps received some long-awaited news on the waiver front, as transfer Jarius Hamilton was finally granted a waiver and is immediately eligible to join the Terps. The 6-8 234lb Junior forward from Charlotte, NC transferred this past April from Boston College.
Last year Hamilton averaged 25 minutes, nine points, and four rebounds in his sophomore season as well as posting 11 double-figure games, which included four of the final six games with the Eagles. The Terps originally was heavily recruiting Hamilton before Hamilton chose Boston College over the Terps and several other schools. Hamilton could be the missing piece for the Terp’s as he fits the Maryland system.
Maryland 2020-21 season preview. dark. Next
Maryland coach Mark Turgeon in the 2020-2021 Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook was quoted as saying “He’s a huge piece, a Top 50 player out of high school, so skilled and versatile wing/stretch four who fits right into the culture of our program”. Hamilton won’t be asked to be the scoring machine, but he will be asked to play defense and to work hard on the glass. Hamilton adds another big body to a frontcourt that lacks size and depth.