Mychal Parker to Transfer.

Mychal Parker has announced his intent to transfer from the University of Maryland. While this may not seem like a very big deal with JakeLayman coming in next year as well as Nick Faust currently on the roster it does have some implications. From the sounds of his statement it sounds like Turgeon may have encouraged him to do this.

Parker entered College Park as the prize of the 2010 class,
but never put it all together as a Terp.  (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

In terms of recruiting this opens up a much coveted scholarship for the team. Before this Maryland had one scholarship remaining for this next season and only one available scholarship for the 2013 class. Now even if Turgeon brings in another recruit this year, which seems possible, he would still have 2 available for 2013 which of course is the Harrison twins class.

At this point I would expect either Sam Cassell Jr, who sorta committed a few weeks ago or Michigan transfer Evan Smotrycz to be that final recruit brought in for next year. Both of these players have many positives to them. Cassell has a lot of upside as well as furthering the Baltimore-Maryland connection for recruits. However he would be the sixth recruit in an already crowded 2012 recruiting class.

Smotrycz would have to sit out next season most likely and would not become eligible until 2013 when he would be a junior. This would mean he would be the third recruit to the Alex Len and Nick Faust class. Personally I am a little bit more in favor of this. Smotrycz is a known quality. He has produced at Michigan and has a lot of potential. He is a PF who can also shoot the outside shot and get rebounds. Much different than the other big man Turgeon already has brought in. Also it would even out the scholarship situation at Maryland so we don’t have one scholarship to give one year and seven the next which means lots of turnover. He is scheduled to visit this upcoming Friday.

Who knows who if anyone else will join Maryland before the next season? All we know now is that Mychal Parker will not be on the team next year. This had been rumored for a while but having it confirmed opens up the rumor mill for Maryland basketball. My guess would be either Cassell or Smotrycz to be on campus next year but maybe Turgeon will save the scholarship for 2013 and have a three man class or bring in someone else for next year.