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In Cleare, Maryland gets one of its highest-rated recruits in years, a burly low-post presence who became a consensus top-30 recruit in just four years of playing organized basketball. Cleare, who averaged 22 points and 14 rebounds as a junior, will provide immediate help to a Maryland frontcourt in dire need. He’s a tank in the post, capable of overpowering opposing players but also blessed with soft hands and a good shooting touch.
“Maryland is getting, in my opinion, the best big man in the country. Obviously I’m biased but his upside is tremendous. I think he’ll be a pro player, I really do,” Coach Don Harvey said. “He’s also a great kid. He was a decent player when he came to the states, but to see the work he’s put in to get to this day is a great thing.”
More from Josh Barr of the Washington Post
“I think so,” Harvey said. “I think a lot of guys were waiting on him. By him going ahead and getting it over with, I think you’ll see some of the other guys start to fall and go that way as well.”
Maryland began recruiting Cleare early in the process, with former coach Gary Williams and his staff making inroads.
“He fell in love with Gary Williams and when Gary Williams left, Shaq was devastated,” Harvey said. “What pulled Shaq to Gary Williams was his ability to put players at the next level. But the school that was next on his list was [Texas] A&M and we know how that ended up. They hired Turgeon and Maryland was even higher on his list.”
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