By Perry Green
AFRO Sports Editor
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Former Maryland center Braxton Dupree transferred to Towson University on Monday. (Courtesy Photo/shellgames.com)
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(May 18, 2009) - Former top rated basketball prospect Braxton Dupree officially transferred from the University of Maryland to Towson University Monday, indicating a possible upgrade in the post for both schools.
The 6-foot-8 junior center from Calvert Hall, who was named to the Baltimore Sun’ s All Metro first team in 2007, chose to transfer to Towson because he desired more playing time.
“I enjoyed my time at the University of Maryland and appreciate all of the efforts by Coach (Gary) Williams and his staff,” Dupree said. “However, I felt it was time for me to make a change. I am extremely excited about the opportunity to play at Towson University and for coach Kennedy. Additionally, this decision allows me the chance to be even closer to my family.”
Dupree had started eight games as a Maryland freshman two years ago, flashing promise by scoring a double-digits in his first two games played as a Terrapin. But he struggled with his weight late in the season and eventually lost his starting position.
“I just felt like if I had taken better advantage of my initial opportunity by being more consistent, then we wouldn’t be having this conversation now,” Dupree told the media.
Dupree worked hard during his second year as a Terrapin and eventually dropped 20 pounds of weight. But his playing time was limited to 10 minutes per game, and he only averaged 2.1 points and 2.4 rebounds his entire sophomore season.
His disappointing performance motivated the Terrapins to attempt to upgrade their post presence by recruiting Jordan Williams, a 6-foot-10 power forward from Torrington, Conn. Maryland also added James Padgett, a 6-foot-8 power forward out of Lincoln High in Brooklyn, N.Y.
But regardless of Dupree’s struggles, Towson coach Pat Kennedy believes “[Braxton] has an opportunity to be a real impact player in the [Colonial Athletic Association].”
If the Maryland native plays like he did at Calvert Hall—where he averaged 21.0 points, 13.1 rebounds and 5.0 blocked shots as a senior—the Towson Tigers could become one of the better teams in the CAA. But it won’t be easy. Last season the Tigers won just 12 games overall, and held a 5-13 record against CAA opponents.
But Dupree won’t have to carry the pressure of the team’s success on his own. He’s joined by a strong incoming class that includes 6-foot-7 forward Isaiah Philmore out of John Carroll School in Bel Air, Md., along four other highly talented recruits.