Player Breakdown: Nick Maryland
With practice beginning all over the state, we will begin player breakdowns to highlight various players from north and south Louisiana. These players should be top players in their respective classes and will make a mark on the prep scene.…
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Continue ReadingWith practice beginning all over the state, we will begin player breakdowns to highlight various players from north and south Louisiana. These players should be top players in their respective classes and will make a mark on the prep scene.
Nick Maryland Nick Maryland 6'2" | CG Simsboro | 2022 State LA is one of the hidden gems of class B and in north Louisiana. Last season, this 2022 guard was part of the Simsboro Tiger team who came within a missed three pointer from being back-to-back-to-back state champions. Maryland played alongside two of the best players in class B, Kalep Crane Kalep Crane 6'0" | CG Simsboro | 2020 State LA and Jakemin Abney Jakemin Abney 6'3" | CG Simsboro | 2020 State LA . Now, as a junior, Maryland will be looking to leave his mark on the Tiger program and hopefully reclaim what they lost to Doyline last spring.
Offense
Maryland is still rounding his offensive game into form. He is a lefty who scores more from defensive plays in transition situations and also from penetration to the paint. Maryland takes advantage of his quickness and the fact that he is left handed. Because most people guard him as if he was a righty, he takes advantage by getting to the cup. Maryland is also a very good rebounding guard and will score from putbacks. While the distance on is perimeter shot is still improving, Maryland is more dangerous in the mid-range than he is from deep. However, this season he should have more opportunities from outside. The increased attempts should help him gain confidence from behind the arc.
Defense
When it comes to man-to-man perimeter defense, there are few that can rival the energy and quickness that Maryland defends with. Nick does a fantastic job of keeping his man in front of him. When he defends point guards, he disrupts the offensive flow and makes it hard for them to intiate offense. When the Tigers press, he usually plays the top position and gets steals and transition buckets that way. He is a defender who can takeover periods of a game with his defense. Maryland is not afraid to guard top perimeter players from the opposing team either. He is definitely one of the top defenders in northern Louisiana.
Overall
Maryland is a terrific perimeter defender who is expanding his offensive game. He is a player who disrupts offensive chemistry and makes a living playing hard-nosed, tough defense on point guards and the best offensive threat of the opposition. At 6’1″, Maryland will need to develop his point guard skills to be more effective on the floor. With his defense, however, he will be a good addition to a team on the next level.