Terrell Stoglin says he’s coming back to Maryland

Maryland guard Terrell Stoglin will remain in school for his junior season after considering a jump to the professional level.

With Stoglin, the ACC’s leading scorer as a sophomore, the Terrapins will have four returning starters next season.

“Back for another season Terpnation!” Stoglin tweeted Wednesday.

Stoglin said after Maryland’s season-ending 85-69 loss to North Carolina in the ACC tournament quarterfinals this month he intended to return to his Tucson, Ariz., home and reach his decision in consultation with his family and coach Mark Turgeon. He said he began considering the possibility of turning pro “pretty much in the middle of the season.”

The most fascinating dynamic in the Terrapins’ just-completed season was the relationship between Stoglin and Turgeon. Stoglin was easily Maryland’s most capable scorer, and his penchant for low-percentage shots increased when the Terps found themselves trailing.

A frequent mantra from both Stoglin and Turgeon was for Stoglin to become a better teammate. The pleas didn’t always stick, and Turgeon twice brought Stoglin off the bench for minor infractions. He also sat Stoglin for an extended stretch in a Feb. 11 loss to Duke, after which Stoglin took to Twitter to vent his frustrations before apologizing.

Yet Turgeon also frequently praised Stoglin’s improvement, particularly at the defensive end, and the 6-foot-1, 185-pounder’s competitiveness.

“Terrell and I have talked, and I think he’s made an educated decision,” Turgeon said Wednesday. “I think this is the best decision for Terrell at this time, and it’s good for Maryland basketball. I feel like he needs to grow as a complete player, and I think Terrell wants to be part of an NCAA tournament.”

Next season is likely to be different for Maryland. The Terps lose seniors Sean Mosley and Berend Weijs while adding a class that includes three signed players and two commitments expected to sign in the spring.

Stoglin averaged 21.6 points for the Terps (17-15) this season, but has not played in the postseason in his two years at Maryland.

Stoglin was a second-team all-ACC selection this year, becoming only the fifth player in the ACC’s 59-year history to lead the league in scoring and not earn first-team honors.