Maryland Basketball: Transfers shaking up Terrapin roster this offseason

Numerous big-name transfers have confirmed their interest in joining the Maryland Basketball program

This past week has seen a flurry of activity in the NCAA Transfer market as key graduate and midyear transfers have begun committing or declaring their interest in various programs. Many transfers are currently considering the University of Maryland as a destination. Here’s a look at some of those players and just how they would help the Terps next season:

Jairus Hamilton

Hamilton, a forward formerly of Boston College, has already committed to Maryland for his junior season. If his NCAA transfer waiver passes or if the NCAA’s one-time transfer proposal is approved, he will be immediately eligible and would most likely get a large chunk of the minutes given the Terps’ current depth issue. Hamilton averaged 9.5 points and 4.3 rebounds per game for the Eagles during his sophomore season. At 6’8″ and 234 pounds, his size will be a major asset to a Maryland program seriously lacking in that area.

https://twitter.com/j_hamilton007/status/1245353497547202562

Bryce Aiken

Bryce Aiken is considered by many to be the top transfer available this year. The Harvard guard sat out the majority of his senior season with an injury but was seen the season before putting up 22.2 points per game on excellent efficiency. Per Evan Daniels of 247Sports, Aiken just put the Terps in his top four destinations, citing his relationship with Mark Turgeon and the opportunity to replace Anthony Cowan as his main reasons for interest. He would undoubtedly be a huge get for Maryland and would fill a newfound area of need.

Jordan Bruner

Power forward Jordan Bruner, a grad transfer from Yale, named College Park in his top three landing spots according to Evan Daniels of 247Sports, along with Baylor and Alabama. Bruner is also considered one of the top transfers available, having just recorded 10.9 points and an Ivy League-leading 9.2 rebounds per game. He would be a fitting replacement for Jalen Smith, another double-digit rebounder, should Smith declare for the NBA Draft as expected.

Patrick Tape

Tape is definitely a long-shot for the Terps. Although the Columbia transfer recently reopened his recruitment after decommitting from Duke, the prevailing thought is that he will wind up at Syracuse due to his relationship with the staff there. For what it’s worth, the 6’10” power forward would be immediately eligible after sitting out this past season and put up averages of 11 points and six rebounds with Columbia in 2018-2019. However, anything could happen and Maryland Basketball is still on Tape’s list for now.

Carlik Jones

Jones, a point guard and graduate transfer from Radford, just put Maryland in his top eight destinations. Coming off a season where he averaged 20-5-5 on 48% shooting, the reigning Big South Player of the Year would also help fill the massive void left at guard by Anthony Cowan Jr. It is worth noting that Jones has entered his name into the NBA Draft process and may not decide to come back for a graduate season at all if his stock dramatically rises with scouts after the Draft Combine.

Alex O’Connell

O’Connell surprisingly announced his intentions to transfer from Duke this past week. The 6’6″ junior guard has also referenced his serious interest in joining the Terrapins, per Jeff Ermann of 247Sports. A sharpshooter and high-flyer, O’Connell would add height and athleticism to the Maryland team. He’s a career 36.1% 3-point shooter while the Terps shot 31.1% as a team this past season. It’s worth noting too that Maryland has had success in attracting past Duke transfers, namely Rasheed Sulaimon and Sean Obi. O’Connell would hope to be an immediate contributor the same way Sulaimon was upon clearance of an NCAA waiver that would make him eligible for this season. As of now, he would have to sit out the year.

Given Maryland Basketball’s notable depth issues, specifically in the frontcourt, it is extremely promising that they have wound up on the lists of many big-name transfers who can come in and fill their areas of need. Were the Terrapins to get even one or two of these potential transfers with the commitment of Jairus Hamilton, they could be considered repeat title contenders in the Big Ten.