Just got word Maryland guard Greivis Vasquez did not file papers to explore the NBA Draft.
Thus another domino falls (or doesn't fall) in the Terrapins' offseason.
There was some thought Vasquez might declare for the draft and make it a fact-finding mission as much as anything else before returning to school. But by late last week he was leaning against doing even that and ultimately decided not to bother with the process this year.
For Maryland, the short-term gain is its best player will be back next season. The long-term gain is that the Terps have a better chance of keeping Vasquez around for four years.
That's because players only get one chance to declare and then withdraw from the draft. If Vasquez had gone window shopping at his professional options throughout May 2008, he would have been forced to turn pro for good if he wanted to do it again next spring.
--- Patrick Stevens
Comments (3)
I find it hard to believe that Vasquez would have gotten a second look from any NBA team, given the horrendous decision-making skills that he flashed all too often last year. One hopes he will spend the summer working on his mental skills, learning to drop into the flow of the play, letting the game come to him, and allowing other cliches to flood his consciousness until he stops throwing length-of-the-floor passes over people's heads and stuff like that.
He's so close to being a really neat player. He just needs to stop doing stupid things. It seems like that should be an easier situation than being a smart player who just needs 50 percent more talent or something. But what do I know about what lurks in the hearts of my fellow men, much less lions like Greivis Vasquez.
Posted by Lindemann | April 28, 2008 9:29 PM
Its obvious Greivis Vasquez was not ready for the NBA but he is playing out of position he is a 2 guard not a point guard! I am shocked that Maryland casnnot find a point guard in its own backyard..And Eric Hayes took a huge step back this past year he is the natural point guard and needs to step his game up big time
Posted by Steve | April 29, 2008 8:51 AM
"He just needs to stop doing stupid things."
While these words could be applied to many people, I agree they definitely have some value for Vasquez.
Heck, even he would tell you the most frustrating thing about his game was some of his silly turnovers (and he did talk about it in February). That he's aware of his shortcomings is a pretty positive sign for Maryland. He might not grow out of them over the summer, but the acknowledgment is better than thinking the game must adapt to him.
As for Vasquez's positional issues, the reality is he is both Maryland's best point guard and best shooting guard. He can create more high-percentage scoring opportunities than Eric Hayes at the point (with the tradeoff of more turnovers), and he provides far more for defenses to worry about when he's on the wing than his fellow junior-to-be.
If Vasquez is your best option for those positions, the question is what position has the greatest drop-off from Vasquez to the next guy. And since the Terps' offense ran somewhat smoothly --- if not in spectacular, prolific fashion --- with Hayes at the point, it stands to reason that Maryland can make do with that situation next year.
Posted by Patrick Stevens | April 29, 2008 8:48 PM