2008 Woodie Awards
Gilchrist leaves Terps basketball
Mark Selig
Issue date: 6/5/08 Section: Sports
The Terrapin men's basketball team ended its 2007-08 season by losing six of its final eight games, missing the NCAA Tournament, and getting bounced in the second round of the NIT.
Who expected that the Terps' ensuing offseason would be even worse?
Tuesday afternoon, another devastating episode was added to the already tumultuous series of events, as 6-foot-9 forward Gus Gilchrist announced that he will transfer from this university before ever playing a game in the red and white.
Gilchrist backed out a week and a half after junior-college transfer Tyree Evans withdrew from his letter of intent and just over a month after freshman Shane Walker transferred. Additionally, last September, prized recruit forward Terrence Jennings backed out of a commitment to play with the Terps, and point guard Bobby Maze, who committed to the Terps last December, has since gone to Tennessee.
Gilchrist (high school class of 2007) originally signed with Virginia Tech, but backed away from the Hokies prior to his freshman year, citing the infamous shootings on the Blacksburg campus.
He enrolled at this university last January, but due to NCAA and ACC rules - since Gilchrist transferred within the conference - he would not have been eligible to play for the Terps until the last day of Fall 2008 exams. He would only have two-and-a-half years of eligibility remaining. Gilchrist appealed the ruling twice, and was shot down both times, eventually leading to yesterday's decision.
"Gus has asked for a release to explore other options, which may allow him to play more games at another university outside the ACC, pending an NCAA waiver," coach Gary Williams said.
"I would like to thank Coach Williams and the basketball staff at Maryland for all of their support and attempts in appealing this process," Gilchrist said. "I wish them the best in the future."
If Gilchrist transfers to a school outside the ACC, he hopes to regain all four years of eligibility. After post players Bambale Osby and James Gist graduated and Walker transferred, the Terps were in serious need of a talented, big man like Gilchrist.
Who expected that the Terps' ensuing offseason would be even worse?
Tuesday afternoon, another devastating episode was added to the already tumultuous series of events, as 6-foot-9 forward Gus Gilchrist announced that he will transfer from this university before ever playing a game in the red and white.
Gilchrist backed out a week and a half after junior-college transfer Tyree Evans withdrew from his letter of intent and just over a month after freshman Shane Walker transferred. Additionally, last September, prized recruit forward Terrence Jennings backed out of a commitment to play with the Terps, and point guard Bobby Maze, who committed to the Terps last December, has since gone to Tennessee.
Gilchrist (high school class of 2007) originally signed with Virginia Tech, but backed away from the Hokies prior to his freshman year, citing the infamous shootings on the Blacksburg campus.
He enrolled at this university last January, but due to NCAA and ACC rules - since Gilchrist transferred within the conference - he would not have been eligible to play for the Terps until the last day of Fall 2008 exams. He would only have two-and-a-half years of eligibility remaining. Gilchrist appealed the ruling twice, and was shot down both times, eventually leading to yesterday's decision.
"Gus has asked for a release to explore other options, which may allow him to play more games at another university outside the ACC, pending an NCAA waiver," coach Gary Williams said.
"I would like to thank Coach Williams and the basketball staff at Maryland for all of their support and attempts in appealing this process," Gilchrist said. "I wish them the best in the future."
If Gilchrist transfers to a school outside the ACC, he hopes to regain all four years of eligibility. After post players Bambale Osby and James Gist graduated and Walker transferred, the Terps were in serious need of a talented, big man like Gilchrist.
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Jerry Moore
posted 6/05/08 @ 9:50 AM EST
Sad, sad turn of events for the Terps. Essentially we'll be coming back in the fall with the same team - minus Gist, Boom, and Walker. We'll have 9 players and 1 or 2 garbage players who Gary will find on some trash heap marked "unwanted players". (Continued…)
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