Oct. 25, 2000

By Gary Lambrecht, Baltimore Sun
Read this story on the Baltimore Sun website

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- He is just beginning to adjust to the pace of the Division I game. He is just beginning to digest the basics and nuances of a new offense. He has a clear sense of the tough nights that await him on the basketball schedule.

But don't think Maryland Terrapins freshman forward-center Chris Wilcox is the least bit intimidated by what lies ahead.

There are too many tools at his disposal.

"He's a great athlete who can do a lot of things that a lot of people can't do. He can jump out of the gym," sophomore point guard Steve Blake said. "Look how big he is. He shouldn't be intimidated."

Wilcox, 6 feet 10, 220 pounds, already is causing a stir on campus. The Terps are a consensus top-five pick, partly because they have what appears to be one of the deeper frontcourts in the nation. That is due in part to the high expectations Wilcox - whom his teammates already have dubbed "Pogo Stick" - has brought from his hometown of Raleigh, N.C.

Wilcox, whose home is about 10 minutes from North Carolina State, which he turned down by signing with Maryland, put some of his strengths on display at a recent Red-White intrasquad scrimmage.

"Obviously, he can get up, and he is quick to get off the floor," Terps coach Gary Williams said. "His quickness for his size is what stands out. He can really accelerate. He picks things up quickly. He's very smart on the court. He's not afraid of anybody. It was only one scrimmage, but it was certainly encouraging."

His ability to leap and run the floor drew the most audible crowd reaction. Wilcox soared to block a fast-break layup at one end of the court, and hit a turnaround jump shot at the other end. He punctuated the second half of the workout by taking off some 10 feet from the basket and slamming the ball home.

"I think I blended in well, but I didn't rebound as well as I should have," Wilcox said. "I let a couple of them get away. I was a little fatigued, but I can't let that get to me. I'm still getting a feel of where I'm supposed to be, learning so many different plays and so many options on plays I have to learn."

Williams said he likes Wilcox's aptitude for the game and marvels at the toned physique Wilcox already displays. Those broad shoulders and well-defined biceps usually belong on older players.

Wilcox said he learned to love the weight room during his junior year at Whiteville High School, where he led the team to a state championship in 1999 by averaging 23 points and 13.1 rebounds. He played for Enloe High as a senior, leading Enloe to the region semifinals of the state tournament, cementing his blue-chip status.

"I like to lift weights and think I'm big," he said. "You play against a lot more physical players up here than you play against in high school. You can't just bump them out of the way anymore."

In time, Wilcox could be bumping his way up the depth chart for playing time. He figures to compete strongly with senior Mike Mardesich for backup time behind center Lonny Baxter and with sophomore Tahj Holden for time behind power forward Terence Morris.

Wilcox also relishes the chance to play in front of his "home" crowds back in North Carolina.

"I know I'm going to get booed a lot, but I just wanted to get away," he said.