Sterling Gibbs to Maryland

The 2011 commitments continue to fly off the board, as junior Sterling Gibbs, a 6-1 guard from Seton Hall Prep (N.J.) made his commitment to Maryland Monday night.

“I just committed about five minutes ago,” he said by phone.

His relationship and familiarity with the coaching staff and players was the deciding factor in his decision.

“I just felt at home, that was my second family the whole time,” Gibbs said. “I knew that if I went there, I wouldn’t regret my decision at all.

“I was comfortable with Gary Williams. I know just about the whole team, I know a lot of the guys coming in.”

Gibbs chose the Terrapins over Seton Hall, Rutgers, Indiana, Wake Forest, Pittsburgh, Florida, Virginia and St. John’s.

He visited the College Park campus before the season started, and was impressed by the entire trip.

“I really liked coach Williams’ personality,” Gibbs said. “He’s a fiery coach, and he gets the most out of his players. He’s fun to be around.”

It was more than just basketball that attracted Gibbs to Maryland, though.

“The whole campus was really nice,” he said. “I love the school overall. The campus, the academics, it’s not too far from home. And the academic advisors seem like they’re really on top of work, so I can graduate on time.”

Gibbs said that coach Williams was very excited when he notified him about the commitment. He said that Williams is looking forward to the potential of more metro-area players coming to Maryland.

Gibbs is confident that he will be able to come in and immediately get on the floor for the Terrapins.

“If I work hard, I’ll be able to come in and get a lot of playing time as a freshman,” he said. “I think I can make a very big impact. I’m a pure point guard, and I can score when needed. I just want to win, and I’m going to try to have fun. In the ACC, you have to bring it every night, and I love that. I’m a competitive guy.”

Gibbs is the younger brother of Pittsburgh star guard Ashton Gibbs, and the two siblings will likely have many an argument about which conference is better: the ACC or Big East.

Despite Ashton’s ties to the Panthers, Sterling said that his older brother helped him out throughout the entire recruitment.

“He was on the phone with coach [Chuck] Driesell and coach Williams trying to set everything up,” Gibbs said. “He felt like it was the right decision.”

Although Driesell did accept the head coaching job at The Citadel earlier today, Gibbs is still happy with his decision to commit to the Terrapins.

“I knew that this was definitely where I wanted to be,” he said. “At the end of the day, coach Williams is the one making the subs.”

Gibbs is now looking forward to his final AAU circuit and his senior season, where he can finally focus on basketball and not worry about his recruitment.

“I feel like there is a boulder off my chest,” he said. “I’m able to focus on getting better. I don’t have to worry about what coaches are thinking about me, because I know I’m going to Maryland.”