Mark Turgeon’s near-term prospects as the head coach at Maryland — as well as the order of the 2012 NBA Draft — could hang on what the NCAA decides about a 7-foot-1, 225-pound man from the Ukraine.

Olexiy “Alex” Len enrolled at Maryland in August and then made an impressive 10-minute appearance during Maryland’s March Madness Oct. 14.

But at midnight that night, his 45-day window for practicing with the team expired and he is now waiting for the NCAA to rule on his eligibility to play this season for the Terrapins.

“With Alex Len, the NCAA continues to work with the university but no decision has been reached,” NCAA spokesman Chris Radford said Friday by email. “The primary issue relates to his amateurism certification.”

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Jake Layman had been saying all summer that Maryland was his favorite school.

On Monday, the 6-foot-8 forward from Wrentham (Mass.) King Phillip pulled the trigger for the Terps.

“My relationship with the coaches has been real strong, with every single coach,” he told ESPNBoston.com.

“I like Coach [Mark] Turgeon’s style of play, his offense is a good fit for me,” he added. “The ACC is a good conference for me, too. I think it’s the most skilled conference in the country, I like it a lot. I’ve spent a lot of time with the players [on my visits], I know them real well, and they’re easy to talk to, so that’s good. Plus, I have the opportunity to be an impact player my freshman year.” (more…)

Maryland announced Monday that Olexiy “Alex” Len has enrolled at the university and will be a member of the Terrapins’ squad for 2011-12.

One coach who requested anonymity called the 7-foot-1, 225-pound center from Antratsit, Ukraine a “lottery pick.”

“Best recruit in America,” the coach said. “Maryland got a lottery pick.”

“We are very excited about the addition of Alex to our basketball team,” said head coach Mark Turgeon. “To be able to add a player with his ability so late in the recruiting calendar is good for us. We’re fortunate that, prior to our arrival, Alex was being recruited to Maryland. For him to reach this point is a testament to his great family support and his character. I’m looking forward to working with Alex and helping him reach his potential as a player and a person.” (more…)

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. — One of the hottest names at the Peach Jam was Jake Layman, a 6-foot-8 rising senior small forward from BABC.

Layman, out of Wrentham (Mass.) King Philip Regional, had college coaches tripping over one another as BABC made a run to Friday night’s final.

“He’s got length, he can make shots, he can rebound it, defend, play multiple positions, has tremendous feel,” one Division 1 assistant said. “He has a high basketball IQ and a tremendous upside. He can make shots in the mid-range and he can hit the 3-pointer. He plays with an edge and he’s got toughness. That’s the kid in a nutshell.”

In this interview he listed Notre Dame, Florida, Maryland, Providence, BC, James Madison and Louisville, but says that Maryland is his favorite.

“Their style of play I like a lot,” Layman said. “Coach [Mark] Turgeon I like a lot, too.”

Layman says he plans to visit Maryland and Providence this summer or fall and hopes to decide “before the fall signing period.”

“Whoever gets him, he’s going to make that coach very happy,” the assistant coach said.

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Jordan Goodman, a 6-foot-10, 215-pound power forward with pro potential, has decommitted from Rutgers for the Class of 2012.

Jordan and his father, Deon Goodman, wanted to make it clear that they hope to maintain a positive relationship with Rutgers associate head coach David Cox, who recruited Jordan.

“It’s a friendly, mutual separation because we want to look at some other options right now,” Deon said by phone. “Jordan had a relationship with Dave Cox that goes back to when he lived in Maryland. We have all the respect in the world for David Cox.

“We just want to open up other avenues and find a different scenario for Jordan to be in.” (more…)

By ALEX KLINE & ADAM ZAGORIA

One day after former Maryland guard Sterling Gibbs pledged to Texas, Nick Faust proclaimed his allegiance to Maryland.

“Coach Turgeon’s goal is to win a national championship and I would play a big part in that immediately,” Faust said by text, confirming news first reported by Scout.com.

The No. 11 shooting guard in the Class of 2011 per Rivals, Faust is a 6-foot-5 shooting guard from Baltimore City High. (more…)

By ALEX KLINE & ADAM ZAGORIA

It only took Sterling Gibbs one visit to Texas to make his decision.

The former Maryland signee announced for Texas following a weekend visit there.

“I have a great relationship with coach Rob Lanier,” said Gibbs, a 6-foot-1 guard out of Seton Hall Prep. “I’ve known him since middle school. My family trusts him.”

Lanier recruited Gibbs at Florida before moving to Texas.

UConn, UCLA and Texas Tech were among those interested in Gibbs, but he chose to team with Findlay Prep point guard Myck Kabongo in a backcourt that lost freshman Cory Joseph to the NBA. (more…)

By ALEX KLINE & ADAM ZAGORIA

In its search to replace NBA-bound point guard Cory Joseph, Texas will host two former ACC guards this weekend.

After obtaining his release from Maryland, Seton Hall Prep point guard Sterling Gibbs will visit Texas beginning Saturday with his parents.

“I really like Texas and their style of play,” Gibbs said. “Coach [Rick] Barnes does a great job of letting his guards run the offense.”

“I plan to visit there and see what they have to offer. I will tour the campus and also talk to the coaches.”

Added Gary Charles of the New York Panthers AAU program: “Rob Lanier recruited him when Rob was at Florida so he has a relationship with Rob Lanier already. (more…)

By ALEX KLINE & ADAM ZAGORIA

Maryland’s 2011 recruiting class took a big hit Thursday.

Sterling Gibbs, a 6-foot-1 point guard out of Seton Hall Prep in New Jersey, and Nick Faust, a 6-5 shooting guard from Baltimore City, both got their official releases from their Letters of Intent.

A third recruit, German forward Martin Breunig, asked for his release but his situation was “still in flux,” according to a source at St. John’s Northwest Military Academy in Wisconsin. (more…)

New York Panthers coach Gary Charles confirmed by phone Wednesday that Seton Hall Prep point guard Sterling Gibbs has asked for his release from Maryland and new coach Mark Turgeon.

“He wants the release,” Charles said. “The family has asked for the release and they’re waiting to see if they can get the release.”

Gibbs was not immediately available for comment but reportedly told NYCHoops of Turgeon, “He doesn’t really know me and my game.”

The NCAA late signing period ends May 19 and a dead period runs from May 19-28, meaning no off-campus recruiting is permitted. So Charles would like the matter resolved quickly. Regardless, Gibbs cannot sign a second National Letter of Intent. (more…)