University of Massachusets Athletics
UMass Lands Two Recruits
May 16, 2003 | Men's Basketball
May 16, 2003
AMHERST, Mass. -- University of Massachusetts men's basketball coach Steve Lappas announced today that Maurice Maxwell, a 6-5,180-pound standout from Philadelphia's Lutheran Christian Academy, and Chris Chadwick, a 6-2, 195-pound guard from Cecil (Md.) Community College, have signed National Letters of Intent to play for the Minutemen next season.
"Maurice is a versatile scorer who certainly will have an opportunity to play right away," Lappas said. "He's a very skilled offensive player who we look forward to having in our program next year."
Maxwell spent the past two seasons playing for Coach Darryl Schofield, and prior to that attended Philadelphia's University City High School. He averaged 26 points, nine rebounds and 12 assists per game last year, and considered Indiana, Miami (Fla.), Nebraska, George Washington and Saint Joseph's before selecting UMass.
"He could have played anywhere in the country," Schofield said. "He's that type of kid. And when he gets stronger, he'll be better. Maurice can flat-out score. He doesn't do it enough, because he's so unselfish."
Chadwick, meanwhile, was a productive player, averaging 14.1 points, 3.5 assists and 3.1 rebounds in only 26 minutes of work last year for Coach Bill Lewit at Cecil (Md.) Community College. He hit 48 percent from the field, 40 percent from three-point range and 79 percent at the free throw line a year ago en route to first team All-Region and All-Conference (Maryland JUCO) honors.
"Chris is the first junior college player I've ever signed," Lappas said. "He's a strong player with a lot of experience. I believe he will be a good addition in many ways to our program."
The MVP of the NJCAA Region 20 Championship, Chadwick started 33 of 34 games a year ago and led the Seahawks to a 27-7 record and a spot in the NJCAA Division II Final Four. He spent the 2001-02 season at Globe (N.Y.) Community College, hails from Union, N.J., and selected Massachusetts over West Virginia and Clemson.
"Chris has the physical strength, size and ability to be an impact contributor in the Atlantic 10 Conference, but what separates him from his peers, and makes him a special player, is his maturity and character," said Lewit.
Maxwell and Chadwick will join freshmen Art Bowers (Wilmington, Del.) and Lawrence Carrier (San Bernardino, Calif.) as newcomers in the UMass program next season.
"As a staff, we believe that we've been able to take care of a lot of our needs for next year and beyond," Lappas said of his four-player recruiting class. "We've brought in four men who are quality individuals who are very good basketball players."