Top Ten Terps Since 1996

Since we did the list of top 10 Ravens yesterday, we're going to show some love to our Maryland Terrapins and run down the top ten Terps basketball players since 1996.

Unfortunately, since this list will only consider players over the last 16 years, we're leaving out a bunch of Maryland all-time greats like Len Elmore, Walt Williams, Tom McMillen, John Lucas, Len Bias and Albert King.

Let's start with #10...

#10. Terrell Stoglin--SG, 2010-2012

Accolades:

• 2nd Team All-ACC, 2012
• All-Freshmen Team, 2011
• Two-Time rookie of the week
• ACC leading scorer, 2012

Terrell Stoglin will go down as one of Maryland's most talented yet most flawed players. He was on pace to become the Terps' all time leading scorer before he declared for the NBA draft, and he has to be credited with keeping Maryland afloat the last two seasons with very little supporting cast. If Stoglin could have stayed away from drugs and led the Terps to a little NCAA Tournament success, he would have undoubtedly moved up this list.

The Terrell Stoglin story is almost tragic; he will go down with John Gilchrest in the MD hall of shame for wasted talent. Despite his flaws, Stoglin is as dynamic a scorer the Terps have ever had, and for that reason he deserves to be on this list.

#9. Chris Wilcox--PF/ C, 2000-2002

Accolades:

• 3rd Team All-ACC, 2001
• ACC All-Defensive Team, 2001
• Maryland 3rd leading scorer, 2nd leading rebounder, 2001
• College Averages--7.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1 block

Chris Wilcox was a freakish athlete who could dominate games defensively and change them offensively. In his two years at Maryland, Wilcox acted as the perfect compliment to Lonny Baxter, which helped propel the Terps to the National Championship.  He was a nightmare for teams defensively, blocking shots and grabbing rebounds all game.

On the offensive side of the floor, Wilcox was somewhat limited but still effective. He was known for making "dagger" plays: throwing in alley-oops, throwing down dunks, or converting fast-break opportunities that would make the crowd go crazy and put teams away for good.  After his second season in College Park, Wilcox was tabbed #8 in the NBA draft.

  

#8. Laron Profit--SG/ SF, 1995-1999

Accolades:

• Honorable Mention All-ACC, 1996
• Led ACC in steals, 1997  
• 3rd Team All-ACC, 1997, 1998, 1999
• Honorable Mention All-American, 1998
• 16th in career steals in the ACC

The quintessential Gary Williams type of player, Laron Profit was a total over-achiever. No one expected him to make much of an impact out of high school, but Profit turned himself into one of the best all around players in the ACC. He was a nightmare for teams on the defensive end, locking down the other teams best player every game. On offense, he was a slasher that could get to the rim, and he had an average outside shot. He led by example and played with high energy every game, regardless of the opponent.

#7. Steve Francis--PG/ SG, 1998-1999

Accolades:

• 1st Team All-ACC, 1998
• All-ACC Tournament Team, 1998
• Consensus 2nd Team All-American, 1998
• Finalist for Wooden/ Naismith Player of the Year Awards, 1998

Steve Francis transferred to the University of Maryland for his junior season, making the Terrapins into instant title contenders.  The were ranked as high as #2, nationally, mid-way through the season and finished the year ranked #5. He was a high-flyer who made SportsCenter highlights every game, and was almost un-gaurdable on offense.  He also rose his level of play to the opponent, making some of his best plays against Duke and North Carolina.  The Terps lost their starting center right before the NCAA tournament and were eliminated in the sweet 16.  Had that not happened, who know how far Francis could have taken the Terps in 1998.

#6. Lonny Baxter--C, 1998-2001

Accolades:

• Regional MVP of NCAA Tournament, 2001 and 2002; first MD player to earn these honors
• Second-Team All-American, 2002
• Preseason candidate for Naismith and Wooden Player of the Year Awards, 1999
• Two-time All-ACC Team
• Maryland record for most career rebounds in the NCAA Tournament 

Lonny Baxter is another one of Gary Williams' hidden gems. Not expected to be an ACC caliber player, Baxter became one of the best big men in the country by his Junior season.  At 6'6", he was small for his position, but dominated nearly every game on both ends of the floor.

He especially shined in the NCAA tournament, where he was twice named regional MVP.  Baxter was the intimidating inside presence the Terps needed on the way to their first and only National Championship.  He was Juan Dixon's sidekick and his strong inside game made him a reliable target for quick points.

#5. Steve Blake--PG, 1999-2001

 Accolades:

• All-ACC Freshmen Team, 1999
• Honorable Mention All-American, 2001
• 3rd Team All-ACC 2001
• Honorable Mention All-ACC Defensive Team, 1999
• 2nd Team All-Tournament, 2001
• Honorable Mention All-ACC, 2000
• Honorable Mention All-ACC, 1999
• First ACC player to compile 1,000 points, 800 assists, 400 rebounds and 200 steals
• 5th All time in assists in NCAA history
• Career Totals--751 assists, 184 steals, 251 rebounds

Steve Blake was a pure point guard, and truly the complete package. He could shoot, play defense and, most importantly, make all the right reads from the PG position.  He was one of the most well rounded players in all of college basketball.

Blake was the first player ever with 1000 points, 800 assist, 400 rebound and 200 steals. He was essential in Maryland winning the National Championship. You knew that when Blake had the ball in his hands, great things were going to happen. Blake was the perfect college point guard and continues to do well in the NBA today.

#4. Keith Booth--SF, 1993-1996

 Accolades:

• McDonald's All-American at Dunbar High School, 1994
• Career top 10 on Maryland's all-time lists for points, rebounds and steals
• Led Maryland in scoring, rebounds and steals, 1997
• All-Time Maryland leader in free throws made
• Career 9th in scoring, 6th in rebounds, 5th in steals for Maryland 

Booth was a highly touted local recruit who dominated the Baltimore High School Basketball scene.  The only downside was that Booth was undersized but his athleticism and basketball savvy more than made up for it.  Ultimately, Booth only being 6'6'' only hurt him on the next level in the NBA.  He was a dominant player for the Terps and no doubt one of the best ever.  Booth was a machine on both offense and defense.  He was an excellent rebounder and was amazing at creating steals.  Keith Booth was the perfect 4 year player and later joined Gary Williams coaching staff as and assistant coach.

#3. Greivous Vasquez--G, 2006-2008

 Accolades:

• Honorable Mention All-ACC Freshmen, 2006
• Finished season with most assists on team, 2006
• 2nd Team All-ACC, 2007
• Led team in scoring, 5th in ACC, 2007
• 2nd Team All-ACC, 2008
• 1st Team All-ACC and ACC Player of the Year in 2010
• Led team in scoring, rebounds, assists, steals and minutes, 2008; first Terp ever to accomplish this
• Career 16th in scoring, 4th in assists, 15th in steals, 12th in field goal attempts for Maryland 

There was a time when Greivous Vasquez was a huge headache for Coach Gary Williams and Terp fans alike.  He had so much talent but seemed like he would make stupid mistakes and not put it all together.  Somewhere in the middle of his junior season it clicked and Vasquez became one of the best Terps ever.  Don't get me wrong he was still a very good player through his first two and a half seasons in college park, but he needed to polish many aspects of his game.  He did that and then some and became one of the most dominant players in college basketball during his senior year.  The Terps were going through some down seasons and Vasquez almost single handedly pulled them out of their funk and made Maryland basketball relevant again.  In his final season he won ACC Player of the Year over became Maryland's 2nd all time leading scorer.

#2. Joe Smith--PF, 1993-1995

 

 Accolades:

• Naismith College Player of the Year, 1995
• AP Player of the Year, 1995
• UPI College Player of the Year, 1995
• ACC Player of the Year, 1995
• Consensus NCAA 1st Team All-American, 1995
• Adolph Rupp Trophy (given to the top player in Division I men's basketball), 1995 

After the former coach left the Maryland team with strict NCAA sanctions and no talent, Gary Williams had some serious rebuilding to do.  The addition of Joe Smith meant mission accomplished for Gary.  After a 5 year NCAA tournament drought Smith came to college park and instantly helped the Terps becoming relevant again.  He averaged over 20 points and 10 rebounds in his two seasons at Maryland and helped the team reach the sweet 16 twice.  He won College player of the year and absolutely dominated game in and game out.  Unfortunately, we only got to see Smith for 2 seasons as a Terp.  He went pro and was drafted #1 overall in 1995.

#1. Juan Dixon--SG, 1998-2001

Accolades:

• 1st Team All-ACC 2000, 2001, 2002. Joins John Lucas as the only two Terps to earn 1st Team All-ACC in three consecutive years
• 3rd Team All-American, 2001
• Consensus 1st Team All-American, 2002
• NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Player, 2002
• ACC Basketball Player of the Year, 2002
• ACC Athlete of the Year, 2002 

No surprise here, Dixon was simply the best Terp ever.  Coming out of Calvert Hall no one thought Dixon was good enough to play major college basketball.  Well, no one but Gary Williams... Dixon made himself into the best player in college basketball with his tireless work ethic.  He would often be found shooting in the gym by himself a few hours after practice each day.  He was a smooth scorer on offense and a tenacious defender.  Had a knack for making big steals that would break the other teams back.  Dixon was the heart and soul of Maryland's only national championship team.  Juan just had something special that you only see very few years from players.  His size ultimately stopped him from being successful as a pro.  But, theres no denying he was an amazing college player who did everything he could to go from unwanted recruit to all time great.