Maryland?s Chris Wilcox has become the latest top prospect to leave the college ranks for the big time, the 6-10 forward ending weeks of speculation by informing his coach Gary Williams of his decision to bypass his final two years of college late Sunday.  Wilcox has also signed family friend Harry Southerland as his agent meaning that he has now voided his remaining college activity.  NBA rules state that any draft prospect that signs with an agent cannot return to college.

"He said he thought a lot about it and that he is in a good position, winning the national championship, and wants to take advantage of the situation," Williams said.

Wilcox becomes the fourth starter to leave the NCAA Champion Terrapins, joining seniors Juan Dixon, Lonny Baxter and Byron Mouton.  Steve Blake is the lone starter remaining.

"He just said, 'Mom, I'm ready to make a decision. I'm tired of people calling.' That's the only thing he said, 'We need to make a decision.' He told me what he wanted. I said okay. . . . It's his decision, I'm supporting it so I feel good about it," said Wilcox?s mother Debra Brown, the first person to learn of the news.  "This has always been his goal. I don't think [the decision] was tough. He was just trying to make sure."

Wilcox was the team?s third leading scorer this season, yet most have him penciled in to be a lottery pick with some even predicting a top six possibility.  Wilcox played best in big games but for the most part was somewhat inconsistent, averaging 12 points, 7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 24 minutes per game.  Major scalps he has claimed along the way are Mike Dunlevey Jr. of Duke in mid-February then Drew Gooden and Jared Jeffries more recently in the final four.

"If you look at Chris, you see, maybe not this year, but as good a potential physically for that [small forward or power forward] spot, as much potential as there is out there," Williams said. "If teams are willing to draft a high school guy based on that potential, Chris has certainly taken it past just being a good high school player."

"Chris and his mom think this is their time," Williams said. "There is always a gamble in coming back. . . . He is going to be very successful this year in terms of his finances. If everything is done properly, he can take care of his future. The thing with Chris is he's 19, so he's young. He's got a chance to really improve in one year [if he had stayed at Maryland]. . . . The other side of that is he is going to be very successful this year. He has established that right now."