UVA makes offer to one of the nation’s best forwards, Cam Ward of Maryland

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Some of the most storied programs in college basketball have made offers to Maryland prospect Cam Ward, a 4-star out of Upper Marlboro. Virginia has added its name to Ward’s list via his Twitter account on Friday.

Check ‘em off: Syracuse, Villanova, Notre Dame, Georgetown, Providence, Tennessee, Louisville, Michigan State, Arkansas, Florida State, Maryland, Kansas State, Iowa, Georgia Tech, Texas, West Virginia and others are in pursuit of this 6-foot-7 forward. Some of the national recruiting services differ on what position Ward plays — some have him listed as a small forward, some as a power forward — but what they agree on is that Ward is good.

The class of 2025 standout is listed as a consensus top-56 recruit nationally at any position (On3 has him No. 48), also among the top 15 forwards in the country and the No. 1 recruit in the state of Maryland.

Ward, who plays at Largo High School for his dad, Rodney Ward, has taken official visits to Notre Dame and FSU, along with unofficials to Georgetown and Maryland.

There are lots of reasons other than his obvious skills that so many good programs have reached out to Ward. His dad knows why.

“I’d say playing the game the right way and being pretty talented and performing the right way and performing at a high level,” Coach Ward told a Notre Dame publication. “Cam had great freshmen and sophomore campaigns here at Largo High School, playing in the DC-Maryland area with pretty strong competition, and also the level of success he had playing travel ball with Team Durant on the Nike EYBL circuit.

“I think that kind of separates him in that on all of those stages, he’s still been the same guy he’s been in high school, the same guy he’s geen pretty much since he’s been playing basketball.”

Coach Ward said some of the things college recruiters like about his son include a 6-11 wingspan, athleticism, versatility in that he can play multiple positions, such as guard through the 4.

“Also offensively, he’s got a lot of versatility. He’s played center for us at times last year and even on the circuit with Team Durant,” Coach Ward said. “They just love his ability to do a lot of different things on the court and that versatility.”