WASHINGTON — The Verizon Center lights weren’t dimmed, the public address announcer wasn’t rousing a late-arriving crowd and there were no NBA superstars in the building.
But there was a buzz in the arena as the Washington Wizards prepared to face the New Orleans Hornets on March 15. And when Hornets guard Greivis Vasquez stepped onto the hardwood for pregame introductions, he received the visiting team’s loudest ovation.
It was a return home for the former Terrapins men’s basketball star. A third-year pro, Vasquez had visited Verizon Center — a short Metro ride from this campus and a nearly 40-minute drive from his old prep program, Montrose Christian — before as a rookie with the Memphis Grizzlies.
This time, though, was different.
Vasquez is no longer trying to win an NBA starting job. Coaches don’t wonder where his 6-foot-6 frame fits on the court. After struggling to earn minutes during his first couple of years in the pros, Vasquez has emerged as oneof the league’s top point guards.
“There’s something about coaches that are named Williams that always give me an opportunity, so I’m just happy to be here,” Vasquez said hours before the Hornets fell to the Wizards, 96-87. “I just want to keep getting better. I want to prove to the entire league that I’m a starting point guard.”
Vasquez, who made three NCAA Tournament second-round appearances under former Terps coach Gary Williams, has blossomed in his second season with Hornets coach Monty Williams. He ranks third in the NBA with 9.2 assists per game, trailing only All-Stars Rajon Rondo and Chris Paul.
“He’s been our best player,” Monty Williams said. “It’s not even close.”
After leading the Terps to a share of the ACC regular-season title, Vasquez went to the Grizzlies with the 28th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. He spent his rookie campaign competing for minutes against Mike Conley, Tony Allen and O.J. Mayo in a crowded backcourt.
On the eve of the lockout-shortened 2011-2012 season, Memphis dealt Vasquez to New Orleans for forward Quincy Pondexter — a former Washington product who averaged just 2.8 points per game the previous year.
But minutes didn’t come easily. Forced to compete against veteran guard Jarrett Jack, the Caracas, Venezuela, native started 26 of 66 games.
After the Hornets traded Jack to Golden State last July, Vasquez finally had a chance to prove his NBA worth.
He has started 76 of New Orleans’ 78 games this season and posted career highs in nearly every major statistical category. He boasts 25 double-doubles this year — the second-most of any guard behind Paul — and he even recorded a triple-double in a Feb. 8 win over Atlanta with 21 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists. Vasquez should be the favorite to win the Most Improved Player award, Williams said.
“When they made some moves on the roster, there was a good chance for me to start, and I was ready mentally and physically,” said Vasquez, who ranks third on the Hornets with 14.1 points per game this season. “Now, I’ve got to go and take advantage of this huge opportunity. To be a starting point guard on any NBA team is just big time.”
Vasquez showed why the Hornets decided to make him the starter with a stat-stuffing performance — 18 points on 9-of-18 shooting, nine assists and eight rebounds — at the Verizon Center in mid-March.
Within the game’s first six minutes, he displayed his all-around skill set. He intercepted a Martell Webster pass before driving past Washington guard John Wall for an easy layup.
A few possessions later, Vasquez ran a pick-and-roll with center Anthony Davis. As defenders double-teamed Vasquez, he found the rookie for a one-handed slam dunk.
“He’s a very confident kid,” Wizards coach Randy Wittman said. “He plays with a lot of confidence. He’s aggressive. That never stops no matter what type of game he’s having. I think that’s why he’s had the year he’s had, the confidence.”
The Hornets have struggled this year and are destined for yet another trip to the NBA lottery. They entered last night’s game at Sacramento with a 27-51 record, giving them the second-worst mark in the Western Conference and the sixth-worst in the NBA.
But New Orleans started the season as the second-youngest team in the league. There are pieces in place like Davis, who Vasquez said will be a “big-time player,” and guards Austin Rivers and Eric Gordon.
And as the Hornets grow as a team, Vasquez — who has increased his numbers in each of his NBA seasons — hopes to do the same as a player.
“He knows he has room to improve,” Williams said. “This is going to be a big summer for him because he’s getting to that point where he is who he is. Once you reach 27, 28, not much else changes, so this is a big summer for him.”
But right now, Vasquez isn’t fretting over his age. He’s just enjoying the opportunity to prove he belongs in the NBA.
“I think the biggest difference has been that I’m getting the shot,” Vasquez said. “I’m getting a chance to develop my game. That’s huge in the NBA. All you need is minutes. I think the way you learn in this game is just by playing. I’m just in a good situation that’s working out for me.”
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