Greivis Vasquez, Maryland shocks #3 North Carolina

Greivis Vasquez, a 6-6 shooting guard from Venezuela had the game of his life and the Maryland Terrapins needed every bit of it.

Vasquez registered a triple double with a career high 35 points as well as 11 rebounds, and 10 assists to lead the Terrapins over the #3 ranked North Carolina Tarheels in overtime, 88-85.

“I’ve played big-time games at Maryland, but I put that game on the top,” said Vasquez.

Vasquez was spectacular.  The 22-year old junior started out the game by scoring Maryland’s first 16 points (in 6 1/2 minutes), and ended the game with five points in the final 1:15, including a crucial three-pointer, to help Maryland rally from 16 points down, and were down 9 points with just two minutes remaining in regulation.

“He’s got that Juan Dixon and Steve Blake toughness about him, where he believes he can do anything, where he’s not backing down no matter whom he’s playing or what the situation is. Greivis has got that.” said Maryland coach Gary Williams.

His triple-double was the third in Maryland’s history and the first since Derrick Lewis did it twice in 1987.  Vasquez nearly accomplished a triple double recently when he finished with 11 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists against Miami on January 31st, 2009.

Vasquez got help from Cliff Tucker who finished with 22 points on 8-for-12 shooting.  Ty Lawson led the Tar Heels  with 24 points, Danny Green had 18, and Tyler Hansborough had 11 points and 11 rebounds.

More about Greivis Vasquez
Emotional and thick-skinned, Vasquez was born in Caracas, Venezuela.  At age 17, Greivis came to the United States to attend Montrose Christian School where he would play alongside Kevin Durant and accumulate a 43-5 record over his his junior and senior seasons.

Vasquez would commit to Maryland and play solid minutes during his freshman year before exploding his sophomore year 17 points, 6.8 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game and honored as an all-conference player.  Greivis played on the Venezuela’s national team during the 2007 FIBA America Championships.

Not only is Greivis a NBA prospect, he is known amongst his teammates for his unique fashion sense. “Greivis is fly, man,” forward Boom Osby said. “We call him ‘Mr. GQ.’ He’s like the Tom Brady of our team. That’s who he is. He dates competitive cheerleaders and softball players. He’s just something else. Did you see what he had on today, the Diesels and the jeans and the button-up? He’s fly, man. He’s a pretty boy. He’s something else.”

“You never know. Some days Greivis will come in in just sweats, another day Greivis will come in with an Eskimo hat.” said former teammate James Gist.  “You just never know what you’re gonna get with him.”

Links and Resources: Maryland stuns No. 3 North Carolina 88-85 in OT (AP), Gary and Greivis Gut One Out (Washington Post), Greivis Vasquez is Mr. GQ (Washington Post), Greivis Vasquez just misses triple-double in Maryland’s 73-68 win over Miami (Palm Beach Post), Greivis Vasquez (Venezuela) has triple-double, upsets #3 UNC (Interbasket)