On the record with Terrence Ross
Words. Jason Jordan
Now THIS is how Terrence Ross always envisioned the scenario playing out: Big-time schools putting the full-court recruiting press on him, calling countless times, giving sales pitches, telling him how well he’d fit into a system.
“It’s what I’ve always wanted,” said Ross, a 6-6 wing from Montrose Christian in Rockville, Md. “At the same time, I didn’t know it would be this hectic. Maaaan it’s crazy! But I love it.”
Ever since Ross de-committed from Maryland two weeks ago, Kansas, Kentucky and Duke have jumped in, trying to make the Terps’ loss their gain. But what if Ross decides to re-commit? What will be the deciding factor to help a school win out?
We caught up with Ross to tackle these and many other questions.
High School Hoop: What were your offers like before you committed to Maryland?
Terrence Ross: Basically just the Pac-10, some Big East schools, some Big Ten… It wasn’t many big programs. I just had one ACC school, which was obviously Maryland.
HSH: And you just wanted to play in the ACC, that’s why you picked Maryland?
TR: Yeah.
HSH: You’ve improved substantially over the past few months. What do you attribute that to?
TR: Over the summer I really worked hard. I was in the gym a lot. I worked on all of my weaknesses and took a break from AAU so I could focus.
HSH: Do you feel like yours was a situation where you were always this good, but the recruiting outlets were late realizing it?
TR: Yes, I definitely feel that way. I would always look at highlight clips from other players and I would always think, “I do all of that as good if not better.” No one really saw me play and they ranked me low. It’s crazy how they do that. It was more motivation for me to work harder so when people do see me play I can change their opinions.
HSH: What’s it feel like to be such a hot commodity?
TR: It feels great! But there’s another side. I mean, I didn’t think it would be like this. I just thought it would be easy to sit back and decide where I want to go, but it’s a lot more political than that. It’s really hectic.
HSH: What specifically makes it hectic?
TR: Just listening to all the schools and thinking about what they’re saying. Just thinking to see if I could envision myself there… It’s a tough process because I rushed my decision once and I want to make sure to make the right decision this time.
HSH: When did you first start to think about backing out on Maryland?
TR: A few months ago. I just started to second-guess my decision. I didn’t think that I made the best decision. I wasn’t 100 percent at the time. It was more like 80 percent. So I waited and thought about it and talked to my mom and told her I wanted to weigh out my options.
HSH: Wow. I know the phone call to the coaches must have been hard.
TR: Yeah … Well, my mom talked to the coaches first and then she handed me the phone and said, “If you want to do this, you’re gonna tell them.” So I got on the phone with the assistant coaches and told them what the situation was. I didn’t think it was gonna be as hard as it was. But it helps that I’m still looking at them.
HSH: You know Josh Selby (Lake Clifton-Eastern, Md., 2010) told us the same thing about Tennessee, and we told him that the percentage of recruits who de-commit only to re-commit is really low.
TR: Is that right? Well, I guess that makes sense now that I think about it. I think the Maryland fans think that, too. They were rough on me.
HSH: What happened?
TR: I had to close my Facebook page. They were just posting crazy stalker-ish type stuff. It was crazy! They were UP-SET!
HSH: Interesting… Well, let’s switch gears. We talked with your teammate and Duke signee Joshua Hairston and he told us that he was recruiting you hard.
TR: (Laughs) Yeah, he is. It’s funny because when we first got here we used to joke around about Duke and then when I was thinking about de-committing I would think about it more. Then when I de-committed, the coaches contacted me and it was more real. So yeah, he’s been telling me I should come there, but he hasn’t been pressuring me.
HSH: So Duke, Kansas and Kentucky have all offered?
TR: Yes.
HSH: You mentioned that things are hectic, so when do you see yourself wrapping this up?
TR: Probably in the spring. I want to make sure I’m 100 percent sure about where I want to go.
HSH: I’ve heard that your coach won’t allow visits to campuses during your season?
TR: That’s right.
HSH: So when is your season over?
TR: If we go to the national tournament it’s over in April. If not, it ends in March.
HSH: So you’re going to setup visits after that?
TR: Yes.
HSH: So how often are you in contact with these coaches?
TR: Well, my mom handles that because I’m focusing on school, but she’ll text me and tell me that she just talked to a coach. She probably does that about four or five times a week.
HSH: Where does your mom live?
TR: In Portland.
HSH: So obviously distance from home won’t factor in.
TR: No, not at all. I’m already over here.
HSH: Would you take another visit to Maryland, or would you just go to the other three schools since you’ve already been to Maryland?
TR: I don’t even know…
HSH: What are some of the factors that will go into your decision?
TR: I want to have a good team. I want to play a lot, but I don’t want to be the only guy on the team. I want to be able to learn a lot, too. I want the academics to be in order and I want the campus to feel like home.
HSH: Have you already qualified?
TR: I have to take the ACT, and when I take that I’ll know. It will be my second time taking it. I’m not sure when I take it; I’ve got to talk to my academic advisor.
HSH: So you don’t foresee qualifying being a problem?
TR: No. I’ll definitely have to continue to focus, but I feel like I should be able to qualify with a little ease.
Got a burning question for Jason? Email him: JasonJ@DimeMag.com
have fun on the return trips to maryland…ask vetter if nate james had fun, and how his career turned out in the NBA
I have such a low opinion of this kid. He’s from ROCKVILLE MARYLAND right outside college park and he was all about the hometown terps when they were the only ones on him. Did Maryland care that they saw something in him even when nobody else did? No… But now that he’s blowing up he forgets that maryland wanted him before all these other schools even knew who he was. I dont blame terp fans for being upset at all but this kid sounds soft. Can’t even call the coaches himself??? Has to have his momma do it? Give me a break
Well obviously you don’t know how to read, and this also shows how little you actually know about this person.
He is from Portland Oregon, He is going to Montrose Christian, which is in Rockville MD. Soft? Terrance realized he could do better than MD and when it came time to have to de-commit, his heart for not wanting to dissapoint someone, is why he didn’t want to make the call himself.
Man your just a loser..
HE IS NOT FROM MARYLAND! lol this boy was also my neighbor in vancouver washingon ,but he is from portland OR
..and hes a good kid trust me. i would have my mom doing the work also..she use to be a basketball player im sure she doesnt want him making bad decisions for himself. its alot cheaper this way than to get him some kind of assistant. blood is thicker than water!
Mommmy emails MD, Mommmy calls MD, Mommy handles recruitment.
Dude is a bitch made momma’s boy. Maryland is better off not having him.
I am a diehard Maryland fan and unfortunately you will have some folks making negative comments about this young man. Some may be Maryland fans and some could be folks looking to get him to drop Maryland from his list. While we would love to have him at Maryland he needs to do what is best for him. All I have to say is if you are interested in coming to Maryland do not take it out on the coaches because some do not know how to conduct themselves.
What a fake, bad person. You could at least pick up Mike Parker’s calls or answer his texts. After all, you recruited him to play with you at UMD. Can’t wait to see you come into Comcast Center as a d00kie.
UMD fans were so hurt over this thinking they could couple TR and Parker with the class they got this past year but I don’t think the attacks were necessary at all. I’m a UMD fan thru and thru but TR is still a kid and needs make the best decision for him not matter what him or his family agenda is. I would love for him to recommit but the chances of that look slim at this point. Good Luck in the future no matter what you choose.
I hope Terrance understands that if he chooses Duke that’s basically taking a knife and stabbing Gary Williams in the back with it. Can’t blame a kid for having second thoughts but there is a right way and a wrong way to do things. Hopefully Terrance thinks everything thru before he makes his final decision. Remember Maryland saw your potential first and committed to you as well.
right way and a wrong way? So there is a rule book for life then eh? The dude had second thoughts and for a good reason. All the MD fans need to get over it, you guys obviously wanted the guy badly, which is why yall are acting so immature (not calling you immature but other MD fans are just being stupid).
Terrence should take his time, but also realize that loyalty is important in life. The people that were their for you before you blew up, will stick with.
It’s not looking good, but I’m still hopeful he’ll wind up a Terp.
Its funny to hear MD fans talking about someone’s character. This is karma, plain and simple. Maryland fans cheered when Nolan Smith got hurt (clean play, cheap reaction) and now all you can do is cry when one of your recruits decides to upgrade. Duke, unc and then everyone else, deal with it.
Duke fans always seem to forget about the Christian Laetner foot stomping and the Gerald Henderson cheap shot to Tyler Hansbourgh. That’s the reason why so many people hate Duke is because they think their program, fans and players are above everyone else.
Haha, I can’t wait to see the Dukies come into comcast and demolish yall, its gunna be fun
hey kevin,
way to recall 2 whole incidents from 2 players in the last 30 years of Duke Basketball. that sure tells the whole story. JP was referring to a large percentage of a packed Comcast Center which shows the truth behind the character of the fans. When was the last time you heard Duke fans cheering the injury of an opponent? Sure Laetner had his moments (back when i was in the 4th grade, im 30 now) but you can’t recount another play in Henderson’s 3 years that showed anything less than good sportsmanship which leads me to believe that his play wasn’t intentional. If that sounds too bias for you, go back and watch the youtube of the play. this time, look how closely Henderson’s hand (not elbow) follows the path of the basketball. Nothing says class act like “greivis vasquez”. Lastly, I’m pretty sure the reason most of those that hate Duke is because they got tired of watching their team loose to Duke. Just a thought.
JP you are a moron. Did you ever think that MAYBE they were cheering because it was a good pick? Or maybe it was the big 3 that Dave Neal hit at the other end? Stop looking for a reason to whine you little pussy.
[...] an interview with highschoolhoop.com, Ross elaborated. “I had to close my Facebook page,” Ross told the [...]
i agree that he should recognize that MD committed to him too when the other big guys didn’t, but if he doesn’t feel it is right then let him go on his way. I’ll boo him when he comes to comcast in another jersey but no need to be mean about it.
[...] have offered Ross in an attempt to provide a last-minute boost to their recruiting classes. In a recent interview with HighSchoolHoop, Ross stated that he felt he had made he decision too soon and jumped at the opportunity to play in [...]