Vasquez's whole game is a dichotomy. Maryland got off to a slow start against highly regarded teams early this season, losing to Cincinnati and Wisconsin back to back at the EA Sports Maui Invitational. Vasquez was struggling to consistently find an offensive rhythm in Maryland wins but statistically, faired well in Maryland losses.
A shaky start brought doubters out of the woodwork who chipped away at Vasquez, questioning his value to the Terrapins, his motive and his place in Maryland history.
Coach Williams stuck by his player the entire season.
Williams' realized the beauty of a unique player like Vasquez. Offensively, Vasquez is not just a scoring machine like he displayed during a double overtime 41-point effort versus Virginia Tech; he is also a strategic, chess player on the court. Vasquez's value is not as an overly athletic or fast hop-skip-jump checkers type player, no. He is a crafty, fundamental, anticipatory surgeon on the floor when he is at the top of his game. And even when he is not, he is still better than most. So even in games where his jumper is non-effective, his--assists, rebounds, steals, intangibles--are all available at the team's disposal for the win.
To his credit, Williams' was very protective of Vasquez through the guard's early struggles citing many times that he was "...a great player". When asked by media members about Vasquez's difficulties after a win against Fairfield where he was 3 of 11 from the field, Williams calmly pointed out Vasquez's other contributions. "Some of the passes he made tonight were just incredible. It makes us tough to cover and once his shots start to go in, he's fine. I'd rather him miss now then miss later."
Despite poor starts, and regardless of whether he has the Dr. Jekyll moniker or the Mr. Hyde hat on at the time, Vasquez always saves his best for last. Criticized, heavily last year for comments he made before the Memphis game, his shot selection, for testing his NBA draft potential over the summer and now for his early play, all his doubters appeared credible in the early going as Maryland struggled and the portrayal of an overrated showboat in Vasquez became an ever-popular perception.
But Vasquez knew he would have the last say and with the communication barrier, he would have to improvise on getting his message across by speaking with his game. So he retorted with a simple statement that would resonate throughout the season-- "It's all about winning".
It worked
As the Terrapins began to roll this season, the real Vasquez was getting through. He went on further to explain, "Just getting a win is important to me. I'm not worried about me scoring 25 points or being the leading scorer. I'm worried about winning games... To me it's more important to average 10 assists a game and that will make me feel better because now I can play the role that I always wanted to play." And as long as the Terps were winning, Vasquez kept shimmying and his doubters became less convincing.
Greivis Vasquez will lead the Maryland Terrapins to the ACC Tournament which opens this Thursday in Greensboro, N.C. Alan P. Santos/DC Sports Box
Vasquez's numbers were undeniable: he is the only ACC player to ever accumulate 2,000 points, 700 assists, 600 rebounds and is the only Terp to ever lead his team in points rebounds and assists for an entire season. But without a signature win against rival Duke it seemed that his legacy would fall short of legendary. That all changed on Mar. 3, 2010, senior night, for a chance to gain a share of the number one seed in the ACC along with the Blue Devils. The result: a rushing of the court by temporarily insane Maryland fans after Vasquez hit a wild, go-ahead, one handed shot to win the game.
And that's Greivis in a nutshell. Overlooked yet criticized, unselfish yet blamed, simple but intriguing. Overcoming all that he has, Vasquez's road will not be any easier as his team enters tournament play and his future in professional basketball is still in question.
His coach, his defender and most prominent supporter, Williams--like the increased number of people that have monitored his development--cannot help but be admirers as well.
"What he has done for himself, as a person, for his family, what lies ahead for him and his family, it is a great story," said Williams. "It is tremendous to see. That's the part of coaching that I enjoy and get a lot of satisfaction from," said Williams. "To see the guy that comes over here and can barely speak English at all and now he is going to graduate with the other three seniors."
Vasquez is scheduled to graduate on time with his fellow senior teammates. For all that he has accomplished on the court, it is only apropos that the freshman who entered college, barely being able to speak English will be graduating—on time—with a major in American studies; again his humble beginnings, the motivation for his proud finish.
