When the disappointment of Maryland's 85-83 loss to Michigan State finally fades -- and it's definitely going to take awhile, because that was an absolute heartbreaker -- take a minute or two and raise a glass or tip your hat (or whatever is your custom) in honor of the unique and entertaining Terrapin career of Greivis Vasquez.
Vasquez passed Len Bias on Sunday to become Maryland's 2nd all-time leading scorer behind Juan Dixon, but years from now, when we think about him, stats are never going to accurately paint a proper picture of what his career was like. He'll likely go down as one of the most interesting college athletes to ever pass through College Park, and if you followed his career, you likely ran the gamut of emotions. He was erratic and emotional, fabulous and frenetic, courageous and captivating, sometimes all in one game.
I'm not sure we'll ever see another player like him. It was only this season that we really got the chance to appreciate him, in part because it was only this season he really let us in.
I'm not sure anyone can ever understand how hard it must have been for him to enroll at Maryland with only a limited grasp of English in 2006. The pressures of college are hard enough without having to juggle athletics -- plus academics in a language that's not your own -- and think of what it must have been like at times for him. Thousands of miles from his home and his family, struggling at times to find his role in Maryland's program, only vaguely understanding the frequent criticism half the fan base is throwing at you.
Johnny Holliday told me once that Vasquez told him his parents listened to every Maryland basketball game over the Internet, and that they loved listening to Holliday's voice. Holliday thanked Vasquez for his kind words, but then thought about it for a second and asked Vasquez an obvious question: Greivis, if they don't understand any English, how do they follow what's going on?
Well Mr. Holliday, Vasquez said, they just listen for my name. If you're saying it a lot, they assume I'm doing well.
After that, Holliday always made it a point to say Vasquez's name multiple times after big baskets.
Greivis, Greivis, Greivis!
The message, which traveled across borders and oceans and cultures, was crystal clear in any language: Vasquez was becoming an excellent college basketball player.
It was sort of a learning experience for us too. Gary Williams had to explain to people countless times that Venezuelan culture was expressive, flamboyant, unapologetic and emotional. That's why Vasquez was the way he was, and he wasn't changing. His antics still rubbed some people the wrong way, as did the way Vasquez played -- launching ill-advised 3-pointers, throwing one-handed passes, driving the lane without much of a plan. When it worked, it was beautiful chaos. When it didn't, it felt like one man trying to do too much.
What's interesting is how much Vasquez seemed to feed off that criticism. He and Williams were such a compelling duo in part because neither is the type to ever walk away from a fight. Not a physical conflict, per se, but an emotional one. When Vasquez was booed by a small group of his own fans after a late-season victory over Georgia Tech last year, he told his fellow students, in not so subtle terms, to go to hell. Williams defended him. And when Williams was under fire from Maryland fans, the media, and his own athletic department last year, it was Vasquez who had his coach's back, lashing out at reporters.
By the time his junior year ended, it felt like it might be in everyone's best interests if Vasquez took his game to the NBA.
But something wonderful happened this season. Vasquez surprisingly returned, played under control more, and for the most part, he was more beautiful than chaotic. A hungry Terrapin fanbase embraced him. No, he wasn't perfect. He could still frustrate you, but he was still the heart and soul of this Maryland team. To see Maryland students holding up Venezuelan flags on senior night, an emotional victory over Duke that was very much in doubt until Vasquez secured it with a running, falling, "did-he-really-just-take-that?" fade away jumper, was to witness a genuinely touching college moment. Vasquez, who for years acted like he didn't need anyone's love outside his family, his coach and his teammates, was basking in an outpouring of affection from the fans at mid-court.
The true ending to his career, today against Michigan State, was more bitter than sweet, of course. But he did show us one last time how unafraid he's always been to take the big shot when it counts the most. His 3-pointer off and in bounds play with 1:24 remaining that pulled Maryland within a point, and the two baskets he made after that to give Maryland the lead, should go down as one of the gutsiest stretches of any Maryland player's career. In the final two minutes, with the Terps season on the ropes, he scored 10 points.
It's a cliche to call college a learning experience, but it's no less true. Over time, Vasquez matured, got better as a basketball player, and we learned to appreciate him for what he was. It's a shame the journey had to end right when our love for one another was finally mutual.
But now that it's over, let's say thanks -- or gracias, if you prefer -- for the experience.