jordan williams

Former Maryland center Jordan Williams arrived at Impact Basketball, one of the premier training facilities for pro basketball players and prospects, in mid-April.

Maryland basketball: Competing with undersized front court will be tall order for Terps coach Mark Turgeon. With little height to speak of, coach says, four-guard lineups will be frequent.

The Washington Wizards were one of several teams that Maryland center Jordan Williams has worked out for as he runs the gamut before the June 23 NBA draft, and after Tuesday¿s workout at Verizon Center, he said he has a hectic schedule the next couple of weeks as he tries to improve his draft stock. But as the draft nears, Williams is a staple in the second round of mock drafts from many draft analysts.

2011 NBA Draft: Former Maryland center Jordan Williams arrived at Verizon Center Tuesday with an explanation for Terps fans on how and why he left the team after his sophomore season to pursue an NBA career. He worked out with the Washington Wizards.

After a workout with the Washington Wizards on Tuesday morning, former Terps big man Jordan Williams said that ESPN¿s Scott Van Pelt, a Maryland grad, was among those who advised him while he mulled over entering the NBA draft. Van Pelt ¿was a big factor in helping me make my decision,¿ Williams said.

The Orioles got three solo home runs and five scoreless innings from starter Chris Jakubauskas to beat the Athletics, 4-0, on Tuesday night. ... Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts, who hasn't played since May 16, has been shut down from baseball activities for at least two more weeks. ... The Orioles selected Vanderbilt third baseman Jason Esposito in the second round of the draft. ... Maryland men's lacrosse coach John Tillman has told athletic director Kevin Anderson he is staying at the school despite overtures from Navy about its coaching vacancy. ... Jordan Williams has a trim new body, a new position and an explanation on why he entered the NBA draft.

New Jersey power forward Kris Humphries is the latest mediocre NBA big man to net himself a model. The NBA vagabond, who has averaged 5.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game in seven NBA seasons, is now engaged to reality show star Kim Kardashian. He gave her a 20.5-carat diamond engagement ring last week, which means he wasn¿t making D-League money while coming off the bench for the Nets.

Maryland basketball: Mark Turgeon knows next season's Maryland roster is literally thin up front.

Mark Turgeon has filled out his coaching staff, including super recruiter Dalonte Hill, and has convinced Nick Faust, the top player in the Terps¿ recruiting class, to stick to the commitment he made to Maryland. Those were the first steps Turgeon has taken to get the Terps back to where they were a decade ago.

NBA Draft 2011: Josh Selby, Jordan Williams take first steps toward NBA dreams. Former Lake Clifton point guard, Maryland center participate in pre-draft camp in Chicago

Tom McMillen: Fairness demands that college athletes be allowed adequate representation in pro negotiations

Gary Williams' successor at Maryland has plenty to work with, but also a few initial challenges

Maryland students cope with another Williams departure

The Orioles' four-man rotation is set. Brian Matusz will start Saturday and Chris Tillman gets the nod for Sunday. ... Earl Weaver will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Monday's home opener and Thurmont¿s Richard Troxell will sing the National Anthem. ... Jennifer Royle from The Fan has filed an $800,000 defamation suit against WNST owner Nestor Aparicio and two of his hosts. ... A four-member Towson entourage expects to conclude interviews at the Final Four and announce a new basketball coach next week.

The choice of "Kegasus," a partying centaur, as the mascot for Preakness raises eyebrows and questions. ... Maryland center Jordan Williams has tentatively filed to enter the NBA draft. ... Maryland started spring football practice Tuesday with a new head coach, a new playbook and significantly stricter team rules. ... The Orioles have set their 25-man roster. ... The Orioles finished up their spring training schedule with a loss to the Blue Jays. ... The Capitals lost to the Hurricanes.

Monday's roster cuts clarified the Orioles' roster picture, but an injury to Brian Matusz muddied it back up. ... Zach Britton authored another impressive performance in Monday's win over the Tigers. ... The Ravens are taking a closer look at Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi. ... Ravens safety Tom Zbikowski wants to box in Baltimore, and these are some potential venues. ... Jordan Williams earned honorable mention All-America honors.

An Astros lineup that included just three regulars knocked around starter Brad Bergesen and the Orioles, 14-8, on Tuesday. ... On a day when they performed terribly on the field, the Orioles got much-needed positive news on the injury front. ... After allowing eight runs since tweaking his delivery, Orioles reliever Kevin Gregg will go back to his old mechanics. ... Gary Williams says the Terps will be in the NCAA tournament in 2012. ... The Capitals extended their winning streak to nine games.

Less than 48 hours after the Terps were snubbed by the NIT selection committee, Maryland coach Gary Williams essentially guaranteed that the Terps would be back in the NCAA tournament next season.

Maryland loses to Duke, 87-71, in ACC tournament quarterfinal

Top pitching prospect Zach Britton threw three shutout innings Monday night as the Orioles and Yankees played to a scoreless tie. ... The Orioles relaxed their facial hair policy. ... Maryland sophomore center Jordan Williams was selected to the ACC's first team. ... Willis McGahee's agent expects the Ravens to trade or release the veteran running back. ... Sergio Kindle's court case for driving under the influence has been postponed. ... Alex Ovechkin scored in a shootout to give the first-place Capitals a 2-1 victory over Lightning. ... His contract up, Towson men's basketball coach Pat Kennedy stepped down.

The Terps had plenty of fight left in them Sunday night, but they had no answer for the Tar Heels' size and length. North Carolina had 19 offensive rebounds, Tyler Zeller poured in many of 25 points in the paint and John Henson blocked seven shots in a 87-76 win.

Maryland faces long odds at making it back to the NCAA tournament. But next season, Jordan Williams and Terrell Stoglin could be a dynamic duo that again makes the Terps contenders in the ACC.