The University of Maryland basketball team began its rebuilding in earnest this year with one of the nation's best recruiting classes.
The rebuilding continues today, when the weeklong early signing period begins.
The Terrapins are expected to sign two players, 6-foot-8 power forward Joe Smith of Norfolk, Va., and 6-7 swingman Nick Bosnick of Uniontown, Pa., while awaiting a decision by 6-7 forward Keith Booth of Dunbar.
According to coaches and family members of the players, Smith and Bosnick have qualified academically under NCAA guidelines. Booth still is waiting to get back his test scores before making a decision.
Bosnick, who also visited Richmond, averaged more than 30 points as a junior. Mike Bosnick said that his son will announce his choice at 8 a.m. today.
Smith, who chose Maryland over four other Atlantic Coast Conference schools, committed orally to the Terrapins last month. He averaged 18 points, 16 rebounds and five blocks.
In accordance with NCAA rules, Maryland coach Gary Williams declined to comment about Smith and Bosnick.
Booth, who visited College Park two weekends ago, probably will wait until the spring before making his choice, Dunbar coach Pete Pompey said Monday night.
"[Booth] won't make a decision until after his ACT [American College Test] scores come back," Pompey said. "They are due back in about a week or so."
Pompey said Booth had narrowed his list of choices to Maryland, Duke, Kentucky and Towson State.
It doesn't appear that any other area boys will sign early.
Bryn Mawr's Kisha Ford, the area's top girls recruit, said she will sign this week with Georgia Tech.
Ford, a 6-0 guard who transferred to Bryn Mawr last season after two years at Western, is a three-time All-Metro selection.
"[Georgia Tech] is losing seven seniors, so I will definitely start there," said Ford, who averaged 19.3 points, 7.6 rebounds and 10 steals last year. "But my decision was based on what they could offer as far as academics. The package seemed complete for me. Playing time wasn't an issue."
Mount Hebron's Kris Bryant, The Baltimore Sun Girls Player of the Year, and Archbishop Spalding point guard Amy Langville will sign with Mount St. Mary's.
Langville averaged 13 points and 5.6 assists.
Bryant (15.6 points, 10.6 rebounds), a 6-0 forward, is undergoing rehabilitation after suffering a torn knee ligament this summer, and is not expected to play this year.
Bryant's teammate, point guard Erica McCauley (13.1 points, 4.5 assists), has given an oral commitment to Pennsylvania.
Nicole Norman, 5-10 forward from William Penn High (New Castle, Del.), will sign with Towson State. Norman, an All-State player, averaged 14.0 points and 8.5 rebounds and ranks No. 1 in her class with a 4.0 grade-point average.