College basketball is weird now. You probably already knew that, but what happened in College Park recently is basically a case study in how fast a roster can evaporate. One day you have a homegrown star like Julian Reese and a lottery-bound freshman like Derik Queen, and the next, you’re looking at an empty locker room. Literally empty.
When Buzz Williams took the job after Kevin Willard left for Villanova, he didn’t just inherit a rebuilding project. He inherited a blank slate. Not a single player with eligibility remaining from the 2024-25 squad stayed. Not one. It’s the kind of mass exodus that makes fans wonder if the floor is lava.
But honestly, the Maryland basketball transfer portal movement under Buzz has been nothing short of a frantic, high-stakes sprint. He didn't just fill seats; he brought in an entire rotation of guys who already know his "Buzz-talk" and defensive schemes.
The Great College Park Roster Wipeout
Before we look at who came in, we have to talk about who left, because it’s wild. Ja’Kobi Gillespie went to Tennessee. Rodney Rice headed to USC. Even the young guys like DeShawn Harris-Smith (Georgetown) and Jahari Long (George Mason) found new homes.
Kevin Willard didn’t hide his frustration before he left. He was on the record saying agents were asking for $2 million to $3 million for players. That’s "pro sports" money for kids who sometimes haven’t even averaged double digits yet. When the NIL numbers get that high, loyalty usually takes a backseat to the bag.
Then you had the coaching change. Most players don't stick around to see if they like the new guy’s workout schedule. They hit the portal.
Who is actually on this team?
Buzz Williams did what any smart coach with a deep rolodex would do: he called his old players. He brought a whole "Texas A&M East" vibe to the Xfinity Center.
- Pharrel Payne: A 6-foot-9 beast who previously played at Minnesota before A&M. He’s the physical anchor they desperately needed after Reese moved on.
- Solomon Washington: A versatile forward who defines the "Buzz" style—gritty, tough, and probably going to dive for every loose ball.
- Andre Mills and George Turkson Jr.: Two more former Aggies who decided the Maryland flag looked better than the Texas one.
It’s a bit of a gamble to rely so heavily on "familiarity," but when you have fifteen days to build a team, you take the guys who already speak your language.
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The Guard Play: Can They Actually Shoot?
Maryland fans have been starved for consistent perimeter shooting for what feels like a decade. Last season was rough on the eyes at times. To fix that, Buzz went hunting in the Maryland basketball transfer portal for guards who can actually create their own shot.
Myles Rice is the name you’ll hear the most. He’s a former Indiana guard who also starred at Washington State. He’s fast. Like, "don't blink or he's at the rim" fast. He didn’t quite hit his ceiling at IU, but in a system that rewards aggressive guard play, he could be a monster.
Then there’s David "Diggy" Coit. He was a scoring machine at Northern Illinois before a stint at Kansas. He’s a bit undersized at 5-foot-11, but he’s a professional bucket-getter. If the Terps are in a scoring drought, he’s the one Buzz is going to call.
Wait. Don’t forget Isaiah Watts. He followed from Washington State and brings a 6-foot-3 frame with a jumper that looks significantly more reliable than what Maryland had last year.
The Surprise Additions and The "Big" Problem
One of the most interesting late grabs was Collin Metcalf from Northeastern. He’s a 6-foot-9 center from Germany. He isn’t going to give you 20 points a night. He might not even give you five. But he had 78 blocks last season. That’s elite rim protection.
In the Big Ten, you can't survive with just "small ball." You need a guy who can stand in the way of a 7-foot-2 center from Purdue or Michigan State and not get moved like a piece of furniture. Metcalf is that insurance policy.
The Freshman Wildcard
Buzz also landed Darius Adams, a five-star guard and McDonald’s All-American. While the portal is the focus, getting a top-tier freshman to commit to a total rebuild is a huge win for the program's long-term health. It shows that Maryland still has that "big brand" pull, even if the roster looks like a puzzle that was just dumped out of the box.
Why This Strategy Might Actually Work
Most coaches try to balance old and new. Buzz basically said, "Give me the guys I know."
By bringing in four players from his previous stop, he’s skipping the "getting to know you" phase that usually kills teams in November and December. These guys already know the defensive rotations. They know the intensity required.
The chemistry might still be a work in progress, but the foundation isn't built on sand. It's built on a proven SEC-style toughness.
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What to watch for next
If you're following the Maryland basketball transfer portal news, keep an eye on the final roster spots. With the House vs. NCAA settlement, teams are looking at 15 scholarships now. Buzz still has room to add one more specialized shooter or perhaps another veteran wing.
Actionable Insights for Terps Fans:
- Check the Rotation: Expect Myles Rice and Pharrel Payne to be the "1-2 punch." If Payne stays out of foul trouble, Maryland's defense will be top-30 in the country.
- Follow the Waiver Wire: The portal doesn't really "close" for long. With the new 15-day window rules, the May/June period is going to be even more chaotic.
- Watch the NIL: Maryland’s collective has been aggressive. If a big name enters the portal unexpectedly mid-year (yes, that’s a thing now), don't be surprised if the Terps are in the mix.
The days of four-year starters are gone. This is the new reality of Maryland basketball: a high-speed, high-turnover game of musical chairs where the music never really stops.