Maryland Announces Jersey Numbers for Hoops Newcomers
Jersey numbers for the four Maryland basketball newcomers are out.
The Terps lost their top two players, Anthony Cowan and Jalen Smith, to the professional ranks this offseason, while rotational players Ricky Lindo, Serrel Smith and Joshua Tomaic transferred and are no longer with the program. To replace those players, Maryland coach Mark Turgeon brought in freshmen guards Aquan Smart and Marcus Dockery, as well as battle-tested transfers Jairus Hamilton and Galin Smith.
Smart wore No. 3 in high school, but the number hasn’t been worn at Maryland since Juan Dixon, so the Chicago native elected to pay homage to Michael Jordan instead. He’ll be the first Terp to wear No. 23 since Bruno Fernando, and could compete with junior Eric Ayala for lead guard responsibilities from Day One.
“Aquan’s a young man who’s just really starting to realize how good of a player he is. He went from an under-recruited player to one of two players in the state of Illinois that was unanimous all-state [as a senior],” Turgeon said. “He’s got great size. A point guard that can really shoot it; loves to pass. I think he’ll be an excellent defender with his length; [he] probably [has] a 6-foot-5, 6-foot-6 wingspan. He’s very humble, so he’s really hungry, really excited about Maryland.”
Dockery committed to Maryland nearly two years ago and will wear No. 0 with the Terps. He’s worn the number since his AAU days because of D’Angelo Russell, who he models his game after. His sharpshooting could serve as an immediate boost to a team that ranked 12th in the Big Ten in three-point shooting percentage last year.
“He’s a big-time shooter and can shoot it with range,” Turgeon said. “He loves the game, loves to be in the gym, loves to work. I think he’s got a big upside. Not only can he shoot it, but he can really wiggle it and get to the rim and do different things. We’re excited about him offensively. He’s a willing and coachable kid, so we’re looking forward to that.”
Hamilton wore No. 1 at his most recent stop and the number was available following Cowan’s graduation, but the Boston College transfer will instead follow in Jalen Smith’s footsteps and wear No. 25 with the Terps in honor of his father Bill. The North Carolina native is still awaiting word on whether he’ll have to sit out next season due to NCAA transfer rules, but if he gets a waiver he’ll provide quality depth at both forward spots.
“He’s a very versatile offensive player,” Turgeon said. “He can shoot the three, he can score off the dribble, he can get to the rim, he can do a little post-up. He’s just a really terrific basketball player with great size. I think he’s a young man that’s excited about being at Maryland and I think his best days are ahead of him.”
Galin Smith will stick with No. 30, which he wore throughout his time at Alabama. The number was last worn at Maryland by Ashton Pankey in Turgeon’s first year at the helm. The 6-foot-9, 240 pound center averaged 3.1 points and 2.5 rebounds in 13.1 minutes per game for the Crimson Tide last season, but brings much-needed toughness and experience inside.
“He’s really exactly what we were looking for. We needed a five-man, a guy that knew he was a five-man,” Turgeon said. “But [he’s] also a really good low post scorer, right and left hand, which we didn’t have a lot of low post scoring this year, so he can add that to our game. He’s just a terrific young man. He graduated in three years and one summer. He’s real excited about being at Maryland. I think he’s the kind of kid that’s going to come in here and just work and work and work and I think our fan base is really going to love him.”
Although they announced numbers for the four newcomers, the Terps haven’t officially finalized next year’s roster yet. They still have three unused scholarships and were named a finalist for Hampton transfer Ben Stanley earlier this week.
