High Point guard commits to Maryland

COLLEGE PARK -- Wayne Bristol, a 6-foot-2 guard from High Point High School in Beltsville, has committed orally to the University of Maryland basketball program for next season.

High Point coach Ernie Welsh said yesterday that Bristol committed Tuesday and would sign a national letter-of-intent during the early signing period in November.

"It's a done deed," Welsh said.

Maryland coach Gary Williams declined to comment, in conformity with National Collegiate Athletic Association rules.

Bristol, who plays both guard positions, averaged 18.3 points as a junior for High Point. Welsh said the Terrapins coaching staff became familiar with Bristol while scouting Christian Ast, who chose Duke over Maryland.

"He's not a pure point guard, and he's not a big jump shooter," said Welsh. "I don't think Gary Williams requires a stereotypical guard. Wayne's a full-court offensive player and a full-court defender. It's a perfect match of coach and kid."

Welsh said Bristol has yet to take the Scholastic Aptitude Test, but that a C-plus average in an academic-oriented curriculum should be a pretty good indicator what kind of student Bristol is. He is taking physics and German.