Matt Bracken from the Sun Reports on the Commitment of Dez Wells - Terp Talk

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Terps land Xavier transfer Dez Wells

Dez Wells commits to Maryland (Courtesy of Dez Wells’ Twitter feed / September 4, 2012)
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Dez Wells will finish his college career with the Terps.

Wells, a coveted transfer from Xavier, announced on his Twitter page this morning that he has committed to Maryland over Kentucky, Memphis and Oregon.

“After careful consideration with my family, I’ve decided to attend the University of Maryland,” Wells posted on Twitter.

Wells had a big freshman season for the Musketeers, averaging 9.8 points and 4.9 rebounds for a Xavier team that made it to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament. The 6-foot-5, 215-pound wing was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team and earned A-10 Freshman of the Year honors from The Sporting News.

Last month, Wells was expelled from Xavier for a “serious violation of the Code of Student Conduct.” But last week, a grand jury in Ohio’s Hamilton County declined to indict Wells on a sexual assault charge. Despite being exonerated by the judicial system, Wells was still not allowed to return to Xavier.

“I didn’t think the process was fair,” Wells told CBSSports.com last week. “I went into it as guilty and having to prove my innocence instead of them having to prove that I was guilty. I feel like everyone rushed the process and panicked. They went with a gut feel. I understand the severity of the accusations. Rape is one of the highest felonies in the world, but I think they just panicked.”

With his name cleared, Wells embarked on a hectic schedule of college visits, which included stops at Kentucky, Memphis, Maryland and Oregon. He visited College Park for the William & Mary game and went to Eugene, Ore., after that, returning to his Raleigh, N.C., home last night.

Wells, who will likely file an appeal with the NCAA to play immediately, is the third transfer Maryland has landed this offseason, joining power forward Evan Smotrycz (Michigan) and shooting guard Logan Aronhalt (Albany). Whenever he is eligible to play for the Terps – be it this season or next – Wells is expected to be a major contributor at the 2 or the 3.

With Wells’ addition, Maryland will have two scholarships remaining heading into the 2013-14 season. Much can change before then, but here’s a roster breakdown as it stands right now:

1. Damonte Dodd, freshman

2. Charles Mitchell, sophomore

3. Shaquille Cleare, sophomore

4. Seth Allen, sophomore

5. Sam Cassell Jr., sophomore

6. Jake Layman, sophomore

7. Dezmine Wells, redshirt sophomore or junior

8. Evan Smotrycz, redshirt junior

9. Nick Faust, junior

10. Alex Len, junior

11. Pe’Shon Howard, senior

12. Open