InsideMDSports: Chinanu Onuaku 'hearing a lot from Maryland'

Editor's note: Each week, InsideMdSports.com provides this blog with a Maryland recruiting feature that previously appeared as premium content on its site.

If Chinanu Onuaku has a favorite school or plans to make a decision any time this summer, he's hiding it well. The fast-rising big man is rising fast for a reason: he's focused on improving his game rather than his recruitment.

"I'm open," said Onuaku, who's known to teammates and coaches as 'Nunu.'

Onuaku, whose offer list is up to 14 schools following a strong showing at the NBPA Top 100 camp two weeks ago, said he's got no favorites, no visits planned and no intentions to commit this summer. He did say that a handful of schools are recruiting him hardest: Maryland, Kansas State, Seton Hall, Rutgers and DePaul.

"I've been hearing a lot from Maryland. Both [Mark Turgeon and Dalonte Hill]," he said. "They like me and they think they can make me better."

Onuaku, who averaged 8.2 points, 10.8 rebounds and three blocks as a junior at Riverdale Baptist, took the short trip over to College Park last week to watch the NBA Draft with the team.

"It was good. They all seem like they like each other and are good teammates," he said.

Terps commit Melo Trimble, Onuaku's teammate on D.C. Assault's U-17 team, has been pitching in a bit as well.

"He just tells me I should come with him so we can make Maryland basketball better," Onuaku said.

Onuaku's a defensive specialist who should be able to contribute immediately on that end as a college freshman. He's working this summer on showcasing an improving offensive game. The 6-foot-10, 220-pound rising senior could play power forward or center in college. With Maryland in need of a rim-protecting big man, he's quickly ascended Mark Turgeon's wish list this year.

But where he ends up committing is anyone's guess, and may remain so for a while.

"I'll probably decide at the middle of next season, at the end of next season or on signing day," he said.

To gain access to all of InsideMDSports.com's premium Terps sports and recruiting content, click HERE.