Morsell signed this morning and now both he and Bruno Fernando are officially on board.
Here's the release:
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Head coach Mark Turgeon and the University of Maryland men’s basketball program welcomed forward Bruno Fernando and guard Darryl Morsell to the Terps for the class of 2017 Thursday.
“We are excited to welcome both Bruno and Darryl and their families to the University of Maryland,” Turgeon said. “They are both very skilled, athletic players with high character. Bruno and Darryl are great student-athletes who will be outstanding additions to our program. We identified Bruno and Darryl as student-athletes who will make great contributions to both our basketball program and our University community.”
A native of Angola, Fernando played for Montverde Academy (Fla.) the past two years and is ranked the 57th-best player in the country by Scout.com. He is spending a post-graduate year at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.
“I’ve been looking for a place like Maryland with such a great program, academics, people and a great environment where I can go and fit in right away,” Fernando said. “I chose Maryland because I wanted to be at home, meaning I want to be around people that care and are willing to help me grow on and off the court. Maryland is the right place for me. I’m very proud and excited to be a part of that family.”
The 6-foot-10 forward starred for various Angolan national teams, most recently averaging 18.2 ppg in leading the U-18 national team to an Afrobasket title. Fernando appeared with the senior national team in the Rio Olympics qualifying tournament. At the 2014 U-17 FIBA World Championships, Fernando averaged nine points and 10 rebounds per game.
A four-star recruit, Morsell is rated the 60th-best recruit in the country according to Scout.com. The athletic 6-foot-5 combo guard averaged 10.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.7 and helped Mount Saint Joseph to a 33-6 record. Morsell becomes the first player from Baltimore to be signed by Turgeon since becoming head coach in 2011.
“Maryland is a special place,” Morsell said. “Coach Turgeon and the team made me feel very welcome and a part of the family right away. I grew up watching Maryland and rooting for them and to now be a part of this Maryland Basketball program with such great tradition is exciting.”
Morsell’s breakout junior season ended with him earning Baltimore Sun First-Team All-Metro and All-Baltimore Catholic League honors. He starred over the summer for his AAU squad, Team Melo.
Maryland’s 2017 signing class is ranked No. 14 by Scout.com.
“Any time a program signs two top-60 prospects, it’s a big deal,” Evan Daniels, Director Basketball Recruiting at Scout.com and Fox College Basketball Insider, said. “Mark Turgeon and his staff worked hard to address very specific needs for their future roster. Both players can help Maryland sustain the high level of success it has become accustomed to.”
Bruno Fernando
(6-10, 225, PF, Luanda, Angola/Bradenton, Fla.)
Unanimous four-star recruit… rated the 57th-best player in the country by Scout.com…ranked 70th by 247Sports…played for Angola at the 2014 U-17 FIBA World Championships…averaged 9.1 points and 10.6 rebounds in 26.6 minutes per game…put up 12 points and 13 rebounds against eventual champion USA and former Terp Diamond Stone...member of Angolan senior men’s national team that participated in the 2016 Rio Olympics qualifying tournament...led the Angolan U-18 National Team to the Afrobasket title, averaging 18.2 points per game…averaged 12.8 points on 63.3 percent shooting, 7.0 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game on the EYBL circuit with Each One Teach One…started his prep career with powerhouse Montverde Academy before transferring to IMG Academy.
Turgeon on Fernando: “Bruno is a tough, physical player who has a really high motor. He’s skilled and possesses good touch and shooting range to the 3-point line. He brings a great defensive presence in the paint. Bruno is a charismatic, high character guy that we are very happy to add to our program.”
John Mahoney, Head Coach, IMG Post Grad Team: "Bruno Fernando is an exceptional athlete who is a strong and physical forward who plays with energy. He is blessed with athleticism and his upside is off the charts. He is an above the rim finisher, and a very good rebounder in traffic. I am very impressed with his character as a young man and his leadership qualities. Maryland is getting a quality young man and player.”
Evan Daniels on Fernando (Scout.com): "What sticks out about Bruno is his pure size, strength, and physical gifts. He is an excellent rebounder and can score in variety ways. Equipped with great hands and a reliable jumper, he should be a good front court player capable of being very productive in the BIG 10. The best thing is that at 6’10 he still has a lot of potential for continued development.”
Darryl Morsell
(6-5, 200, SG, Baltimore, Md.)
Unanimous four-star recruit… ranked the 60th-best recruit in the country by Scout.com ..ranked the 79th-best recruit in the country by 247Sports composite…ranked the 93rd recruit in the country by Rivals…averaged 10.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists as a junior…Baltimore Sun First Team All-Metro…earned All-Baltimore Catholic League honors…played AAU for Team Melo.
Turgeon on Morsell: “It's always great to keep the best local talent home. Darryl was a priority for us because we don't have anyone like him on our team. He’s tough, athletic and versatile and plays with a very high basketball IQ. He is a tremendous kid who is a honor roll student and comes from a great family.”
Duane Morsell (Father): "I'm really happy that Darryl chose to stay close to home so his family and friends can continue to support him and attend his games."
Carolyn Morsell (Mother): "I'm thankful and excited Darryl will have this opportunity to continue his education and play basketball at the University of Maryland. We are very proud of him and can’t wait to be a part of the Maryland Basketball family."
Pat Clatchey on Morsell (Mount St. Joseph's Head Coach): "Darryl Morsell is a young man who gets the job done in the classroom and on the court. He is a very versatile and athletic player. Darryl is capable of helping a team win in a variety of ways."
Evan Daniels on Morsell (Scout.com): “I thought Darryl was one of the top breakout guys of the summer. He is a strong, tough kid and a good athlete with a solid build. Darryl is aggressive and willing to drive the ball and plays well thru contact. He’s got great upside and a chance to be an impact guard prospect for Maryland. His high IQ combined with his strength and athleticism will fit well with what Maryland needs to add to its backcourt.”
Here's the release:
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Head coach Mark Turgeon and the University of Maryland men’s basketball program welcomed forward Bruno Fernando and guard Darryl Morsell to the Terps for the class of 2017 Thursday.
“We are excited to welcome both Bruno and Darryl and their families to the University of Maryland,” Turgeon said. “They are both very skilled, athletic players with high character. Bruno and Darryl are great student-athletes who will be outstanding additions to our program. We identified Bruno and Darryl as student-athletes who will make great contributions to both our basketball program and our University community.”
A native of Angola, Fernando played for Montverde Academy (Fla.) the past two years and is ranked the 57th-best player in the country by Scout.com. He is spending a post-graduate year at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.
“I’ve been looking for a place like Maryland with such a great program, academics, people and a great environment where I can go and fit in right away,” Fernando said. “I chose Maryland because I wanted to be at home, meaning I want to be around people that care and are willing to help me grow on and off the court. Maryland is the right place for me. I’m very proud and excited to be a part of that family.”
The 6-foot-10 forward starred for various Angolan national teams, most recently averaging 18.2 ppg in leading the U-18 national team to an Afrobasket title. Fernando appeared with the senior national team in the Rio Olympics qualifying tournament. At the 2014 U-17 FIBA World Championships, Fernando averaged nine points and 10 rebounds per game.
A four-star recruit, Morsell is rated the 60th-best recruit in the country according to Scout.com. The athletic 6-foot-5 combo guard averaged 10.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.7 and helped Mount Saint Joseph to a 33-6 record. Morsell becomes the first player from Baltimore to be signed by Turgeon since becoming head coach in 2011.
“Maryland is a special place,” Morsell said. “Coach Turgeon and the team made me feel very welcome and a part of the family right away. I grew up watching Maryland and rooting for them and to now be a part of this Maryland Basketball program with such great tradition is exciting.”
Morsell’s breakout junior season ended with him earning Baltimore Sun First-Team All-Metro and All-Baltimore Catholic League honors. He starred over the summer for his AAU squad, Team Melo.
Maryland’s 2017 signing class is ranked No. 14 by Scout.com.
“Any time a program signs two top-60 prospects, it’s a big deal,” Evan Daniels, Director Basketball Recruiting at Scout.com and Fox College Basketball Insider, said. “Mark Turgeon and his staff worked hard to address very specific needs for their future roster. Both players can help Maryland sustain the high level of success it has become accustomed to.”
Bruno Fernando
(6-10, 225, PF, Luanda, Angola/Bradenton, Fla.)
Unanimous four-star recruit… rated the 57th-best player in the country by Scout.com…ranked 70th by 247Sports…played for Angola at the 2014 U-17 FIBA World Championships…averaged 9.1 points and 10.6 rebounds in 26.6 minutes per game…put up 12 points and 13 rebounds against eventual champion USA and former Terp Diamond Stone...member of Angolan senior men’s national team that participated in the 2016 Rio Olympics qualifying tournament...led the Angolan U-18 National Team to the Afrobasket title, averaging 18.2 points per game…averaged 12.8 points on 63.3 percent shooting, 7.0 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game on the EYBL circuit with Each One Teach One…started his prep career with powerhouse Montverde Academy before transferring to IMG Academy.
Turgeon on Fernando: “Bruno is a tough, physical player who has a really high motor. He’s skilled and possesses good touch and shooting range to the 3-point line. He brings a great defensive presence in the paint. Bruno is a charismatic, high character guy that we are very happy to add to our program.”
John Mahoney, Head Coach, IMG Post Grad Team: "Bruno Fernando is an exceptional athlete who is a strong and physical forward who plays with energy. He is blessed with athleticism and his upside is off the charts. He is an above the rim finisher, and a very good rebounder in traffic. I am very impressed with his character as a young man and his leadership qualities. Maryland is getting a quality young man and player.”
Evan Daniels on Fernando (Scout.com): "What sticks out about Bruno is his pure size, strength, and physical gifts. He is an excellent rebounder and can score in variety ways. Equipped with great hands and a reliable jumper, he should be a good front court player capable of being very productive in the BIG 10. The best thing is that at 6’10 he still has a lot of potential for continued development.”
Darryl Morsell
(6-5, 200, SG, Baltimore, Md.)
Unanimous four-star recruit… ranked the 60th-best recruit in the country by Scout.com ..ranked the 79th-best recruit in the country by 247Sports composite…ranked the 93rd recruit in the country by Rivals…averaged 10.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists as a junior…Baltimore Sun First Team All-Metro…earned All-Baltimore Catholic League honors…played AAU for Team Melo.
Turgeon on Morsell: “It's always great to keep the best local talent home. Darryl was a priority for us because we don't have anyone like him on our team. He’s tough, athletic and versatile and plays with a very high basketball IQ. He is a tremendous kid who is a honor roll student and comes from a great family.”
Duane Morsell (Father): "I'm really happy that Darryl chose to stay close to home so his family and friends can continue to support him and attend his games."
Carolyn Morsell (Mother): "I'm thankful and excited Darryl will have this opportunity to continue his education and play basketball at the University of Maryland. We are very proud of him and can’t wait to be a part of the Maryland Basketball family."
Pat Clatchey on Morsell (Mount St. Joseph's Head Coach): "Darryl Morsell is a young man who gets the job done in the classroom and on the court. He is a very versatile and athletic player. Darryl is capable of helping a team win in a variety of ways."
Evan Daniels on Morsell (Scout.com): “I thought Darryl was one of the top breakout guys of the summer. He is a strong, tough kid and a good athlete with a solid build. Darryl is aggressive and willing to drive the ball and plays well thru contact. He’s got great upside and a chance to be an impact guard prospect for Maryland. His high IQ combined with his strength and athleticism will fit well with what Maryland needs to add to its backcourt.”
