Maryland is in the mix for two players from Monroe (N.Y.) College, the No. 1 junior college program in the nation.
Marco Bourgault is a 6-foot-6, 215-pound wing originally from France and Orlando Sanchez is a 6-9 forward (pictured) from The Dominican Republic.
“Marco is a great shooter; they really like him,” Joe Boncore, who trains Bourgault and helped bring him over from France, told SNY.tv. “He’s been going to Maryland in the summer [to train] the last three years.”
Bourgault, averaging 9.2 points and 3.6 rebounds for unbeaten Monroe (12-0), initially signed with Montana State in 2009, but was ruled ineligible by the NCAA. He then enrolled at Notre Dame Prep.
Bourgault, who also has interest from Iona and Florida International, would have three years of Division 1 eligibility remaining.
“He’s really interested in going to Maryland,” Boncore said. “They like him. Coach [Scott] Spinelli likes his intelligence on the court, that he can pass and shoot. He’s really got range.”
Bourgault is very close with Maryland big man Alex Len, the 7-foot-1 Ukrainian who was suspended the first 10 games of the season and becomes eligible Wednesday against Albany.
“Marco is very, very close friends with Alex Len and thats the connection,” Boncore said.
Bourgault also rooms with Sanchez, averaging 9.6 points and 7.0 rebounds.
“Since they are roommates and best friends they might go together if Orlando chooses there also,” Boncore said.
LSU, UMass, Florida International, Rhode Island, Providence and Baylor are also involved with Sanchez, who played under Kentucky coach John Calipari this summer with the Dominican National Team.
“Orlando would give them someone as athletic as C.J. Leslie [of N.C. State],” Boncore said.
Boncore said Bourgault and Sanchez would like to visit Maryland once Len becomes eligible.
“The boys see that Maryland is a few recruits away — with the class they have already — from being something special,” Boncore said.
