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Maryland loses forward Charles Mitchell, adds grad transfer Richaud Pack

Mark Turgeon (AP Photo)

AP

Thursday’s been a busy day for the Maryland basketball program, as Mark Turgeon announced both an addition and a departure. The addition is former North Carolina A&T shooting guard Richaud Pack, who averaged 17.0 points and 4.6 rebounds per game last season. As a graduate transfer he’ll be eligible immediately, giving the Terrapins at the very least additional depth and experience on the perimeter.

We’re excited to welcome Richaud to the University of Maryland,” Turgeon said in the release. “He comes from a great family and I really enjoyed getting to know Richaud and his mother, Kaija, during this process. Richaud is a great shooter and scorer and will fit in well with our team and system.

“He will have an opportunity to further his education in business administration, a field he is very passionate about.”

Maryland’s lost three players from its backcourt this offseason, with Seth Allen (Virginia Tech), Nick Faust (undecided after originally committing to Oregon State) and Roddy Peters (South Florida) all deciding to transfer. That left Jake Layman, Dez Wells and some talented yet inexperienced options, point guard Romelo Trimble, shooting guard Dion Wiley and wing Jared Nickens, in the perimeter rotation prior to the addition of Pack.

As for the departure, that would be rising junior forward Charles Mitchell who according to the release looking to join a program closer to his native Georgia due to the health of his grandmother. Mitchell averaged 6.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game last season, starting ten of the 32 games in which he played.

“I loved playing for Coach. He is a great man and great coach. The reason I decided to leave Maryland is to be near my grandmother who has been ill over the past year,” Mitchell said in the release. “Knowing that she raised me and is still a very big part of my life, I decided to move closer to home. It’s important for me to be there for my grandmother and to help support my family. I didn’t want to leave, but I have to put my family first.

“I really enjoyed playing with my teammates and I’ve had a lot of great memories over the last two seasons. I’m grateful for the experiences I’ve had and wish Maryland nothing but success in the future.”

Mitchell’s departure leaves Maryland with seniors Evan Smotrycz and John Graham, sophomore Damontre Dodd and freshmen Michael Cekovsky (whose addition was also announced Thursday) and Trayvon Reed in the front court, with Mitchell joining Shaquille Cleare (Texas) as big men who have led the program since the end of the season.

The 2014-15 season, Maryland’s first as a member of the Big Ten, will be an important one as Turgeon looks to lead the team to its first NCAA tournament appearance during his tenure.

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