All posts by : Don Lichterman

Starting the season in Charm City!

Maryland men’s basketball is officially locked in for the 2025–26 campaign, and it’s a whole new look in College Park. The Terrapins return to Baltimore for the first time since 2018–19, tipping off the season at the Naismith Hall of Fame Series doubleheader at CFG Bank Arena. But it’s not just the venue that’s new—this is a completely retooled roster under first-year head coach Buzz Williams, signaling a definitive new chapter for the program.

Total Overhaul: Roster Breakdown

After the departure of Kevin Willard and a mass exodus through the transfer portal and NBA draft declarations, Williams went to work building from the ground up. The 2025–26 Maryland squad blends veteran transfers and exciting young prospects from both high school and overseas.

Key Transfers:

• David Coit (Kansas/Northern Illinois) – A dynamic 5’11” guard bringing scoring pop and veteran presence.
• Myles Rice (Indiana/Washington State) – Poised for a breakout in his redshirt sophomore year.
• Solomon Washington (Texas A&M) – A versatile forward who brings muscle and motor on defense.
• Elijah Saunders (Virginia/San Diego State) – 6’8” stretch forward with a high ceiling.
• Pharrel Payne (Texas A&M/Minnesota) – A 6’9”, 250-lb frontcourt anchor with Big Ten experience.

High School and International Talent:

• Guillermo Del Pino – A high-IQ Spanish point guard from the Unicaja Malaga Academy.
• Darius Adams – A 6’5” New Jersey native and former La Lumiere standout.
• Andre Mills – Explosive combo guard from Brimmer and May School (via Texas A&M).
• George Turkson Jr. – 6’7” wing with athletic upside from Massachusetts.
• Isaiah Watts – Sophomore transfer from Washington State with sharpshooting potential.

Maryland also made key additions on the women’s side, with Yarden Garzon (Indiana), Gracie Merkle (Penn State), and Oluchi Okananwa (Duke) all expected to make a major impact in 2025–26.

Coaching Staff in Full Effect

Coach Williams is joined by a familiar and experienced staff, including Devin Johnson, Lyle Wolf, Steve Roccaforte, and Wabissa Bede—all of whom bring extensive recruiting and player development chops. Support staff is fully in place, from strategic communications to nutrition and mental health, ensuring the program is buttoned up from top to bottom.

A Collector’s Gem: The Autographed Championship Ball

In a nod to Maryland’s basketball legacy, this finalized 2025–26 roster becomes part of a unique collectible: a championship ball signed by the entire team, now officially included in the Don Lichterman team autographed collection. This rare memorabilia piece marks the beginning of a new era and serves as a time capsule for the Buzz Williams rebuild. For collectors and Terps faithful, it’s a tangible symbol of the new foundation being laid in College Park.

What’s Next?

With players expected to move onto campus this week and practice beginning shortly after, the buzz—no pun intended—is real. The Terps are set to bring their new-look squad to Baltimore to open the season, and expectations are high for what this group can build in year one of the rebuild.

Maryland is back. Different uniform names, but the same hunger. And Charm City will be the first to witness it.