Cleare makes the call

The merger of coaching staffs at Maryland was expected to produce a commitment from four-star big man Shaquille Cleare, and that is exactly what has happened.

"Maryland and Texas A&M were Shaq's top two schools, and then the Texas A&M coach (Mark Turgeon) went to Maryland," said Cleare's travel team coach Aaron Harrison of the Houston Defenders. "He retained assistant coach Bino Ranson, who was recruiting Shaq for Maryland, so Shaq felt very comfortable with the situations."

Cleare, who attends The Houston (Texas) Village School, unofficially visited Maryland twice during the recruiting process.

"He really liked his visits and enjoyed the set up there," said Harrison. "Shaq is a quiet guy, and Coach Turgeon's personality is a good fit for him."

Cleare joins guard Seth Allen in the 2012 Maryland recruiting class.