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Maryland Basketball: Is Kevin Willard opening the DMV pipeline?

By Karl Heiser

NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 9: Head coach Kevin Willard of the Seton Hall Pirates during the game against the Texas Longhorns in the Big East-Big 12 Battle at Prudential Center on December 9, 2021 in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Porter Binks/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 9: Head coach Kevin Willard of the Seton Hall Pirates during the game against the Texas Longhorns in the Big East-Big 12 Battle at Prudential Center on December 9, 2021 in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Porter Binks/Getty Images) /
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With Jahmir Young’s commitment to Maryland Basketball, is Kevin Willard opening the DMV Pipeline?

Maryland basketball coach Kevin Willard inherited a program that wasn’t quite in shambles, but close to it. Mark Turgeon’s abrupt departure last season left enough time for players to decommit or transfer before the new regime. While cornerstone pieces in Donta Scott, Julian Reese, and Hakim Hart are set to return, Willard still had plenty of holes to fill on the roster.

The former Seton Hall head man went right to work, securing a commitment from IMG Academy product and Maryland native Noah Batchelor. Willard’s second addition came via transfer and should make Terps fans optimistic about the direction of Maryland Basketball.

On April 27, Charlotte guard Jahmir Young announced that he would be transferring to Maryland after performing his due diligence in the 2022 NBA Draft process. Last season with the 49ers, Young averaged 19.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game on the way to First Team All-Conference USA honors. He will feature in a Terrapin backcourt that is losing both Eric Ayala and Fatts Russell.

Even more important than his production, however, is the fact that Jahmir Young is a native of Upper Marlboro and product of DeMatha Catholic High School. Despite DeMatha being just 2.5 miles from College Park, Young will be the first Stag alumnus to suit up for the Terps in two decades. You may have heard of some former DeMatha players: Quinn Cook, Markelle Fultz, Hunter Dickinson to name just a few.

20 years without a commitment from the high school right in UMD’s backyard. That has all changed with Jahmir Young. Mark Turgeon was unable to open the DMV Pipeline. He was successful in getting a few local recruits in the door, but the big-name players from the area are frequently poached by programs like Duke and Villanova. Kevin Willard looks to change that, and the Jahmir Young commitment is a step in the right direction.

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In his opening presser, Kevin Willard said he wanted to “bring the swag back to Maryland Basketball.” His early moves in recruitment suggest he is going to make good on his word.

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