Cowan commits to Maryland

The future of Maryland basketball just got a little brighter.

That's because St. John's College High School point guard Anthony Cowan has decided to stay home and become a Terp in 2016.

Leading the WCAC in scoring as a junior, Cowan, has been a top priority of Maryland's for quite some time and announced his commitment on Monday.

"I felt comfortable and the positives overcame the negatives while thinking about the process," Cowan said as to why he ultimately chose Maryland. "I felt I had the strongest relationship with coach Turgeon and the coaching staff and already had a pretty good relationship with some of the team, and I just felt that I was ready."

"[Turgeon is] a players' coach and I trust him to make me a better player and person while playing for him," Cowan added. "As well as coach Clark and me, just talking almost once every week with him, just checking on me. So they just gave so much love to me and that's why I am so comfortable with this decision."

Cowan's familiarity with the College Park environment and the ability to continue to compete in front of family and friends on a regular basis also factored into his decision and he said he is eager to experience the excitement of playing at the Xfinity Center.

And even with other offers from DePaul, Florida State, Georgetown, George Washington, Illinois, Miami, Penn State, Rhode Island and Xavier, the appeal of being a hometown hero was too much for Cowan to turn down.

"Ever since I started going to Maryland games, their atmosphere was always eye opening for me," Cowan said. "And even though I wasn't playing, I could just feel how hype and how much energy the players would have. But I did want to play in front of my family and Maryland fans were already showing me so much love without me being committed. So yes, Maryland's atmosphere and fanbase did play a big part [in my decision]."

Cowan said that he and his family met with Mark Turgeon and Dustin Clark on Saturday morning and that he wanted to make sure he told Turgeon face to face that he is committing to Maryland.

"He just had a big smile on his face-everyone did," Cowan said.

As far as what he is looking forward to the most about becoming a Terp, Cowan said simply just getting on the floor with the team. And in the meantime, the 5-foot-11, 155-pounder said he hopes to get bigger and plans to work on becoming a more consistent jump shooter.

And with his first message to Terps fans as the newest member of the Maryland family, Cowan just wants them to be prepared.

"Just get ready because I'm staying home," Cowan said.