If Jordan Williams is smart, he’ll withdraw his name from the NBA Draft, return for another season, improve his game again and guarantee himself a first-round selection. Alas, he reportedly hasn’t been in class in two weeks, which tells us one thing: He’s gone. Money, even in the second round, is quite a lure.
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5. John Gilchrist » Bad decision. The junior guard went undrafted and never made it to an NBA training camp. He has bounced around overseas and last played in the Australian pro league.
4. Chris Wilcox » He left after Maryland won a national title. It wasn’t a horrible choice. Wilcox clearly had the talent and the Los Angeles Clippers selected him eighth overall. Even coach Gary Williams advised him to leave early. But Wilcox is now playing with his fourth organization.
3. Steve Francis » Tough to knock a guy who was drafted second overall after his junior season (also his only one at Maryland). Francis played 10 seasons with three teams and averaged 18.1 points per game. He played in China last fall.
2. Joe Smith » Let’s see; he was the college player of the year and was expected to go No. 1 overall. A no-brainer. But the 1995 top pick of the draft has not lived up to that billing. Smith now plays for the Lakers, his 13th franchise.
1. Moses Malone » OK, he never played for Maryland but he did accept a scholarship and he did step foot on campus for one day. So technically … But this also speaks to how few players have left Maryland early, especially under Gary Williams. And we needed another name.
