By Matt Bracken The Baltimore Sun

7:00 a.m. EDT, April 11, 2012

The attention that comes with five-star status has a way of changing some basketball recruits. Egos get inflated and focus occasionally shifts from team success to individual glory.

Malina Howard is not one of those cautionary tales. The Maryland-bound post player – ESPN.com’s top-ranked center in the 2012 class – finished a senior season that saw her earn just about every individual award imaginable. But the No. 1 highlight of Howard’s final high school campaign was leading Twinsburg High to its second-straight Ohio Division I title.

“I’m pretty much the same as always,” Howard said. “All the accolades and awards, they’re an honor. But that’s not the important thing; it’s bettering myself as a player and making sure I’m able to do great things at the next level.”

When she wasn’t focusing on her high school team and her studies, Howard paid close attention to the 2011-12 Terps.

“I talked to the coaches a lot – as much as I could,” Howard said. “I watched as many of their games as I could. They came to watch my games. I visited there a few times.”

Howard said the Maryland staff hasn’t spelled out a specific role for her to play in College Park, but with the graduation of center Lynetta Kizer, there seems to be an obvious hole for Howard to fill. The future Terp said she’s working hard to be a more “dominant force” in the post and extend her range. Howard said she’s “really excited” to put her hard work to practice at Maryland.

“I’m ready to help the team do great things,” she said. “Whatever’s best for the team, that’s what I’m down for.”

Name: Malina Howard

Birthdate: Nov. 20, 1993

Birthplace: Warren, Ohio

Hometown: Twinsburg, Ohio

Height: 6-4

Position: Center

High School: Twinsburg High

Senior statistics: 19 ppg, 10 rpg

Rankings: ESPN.com -- Five-star prospect, No. 7 player nationally, No. 1 center, 97 rating.

Runner-up school: Notre Dame

Other schools considered: Tennessee, Connecticut, Florida State

Favorite pro basketball player: Marissa Coleman

Favorite pro basketball team: Orlando Magic