Maryland Basketball Scoop: Euro Recruiting? | Two From B-More | NBA Sniffing Around
Could one Terp be on the NBA's doorstep? Who would replace him? Will Kevin Willard be venturing overseas for his next addition? Plus, Maryland has made Baltimore a priority in recent years, including two of the team's current stars. A couple of guys there are high on their watch list.
Could one Terps be on the NBA's doorstep? Who would replace him? Will Kevin Willard be venturing overseas for his next addition?
Plus, Maryland basketball has made Baltimore a recruiting priority in recent years, including two of the team's current stars, Julian Reese and Derik Queen. It's too early to guess who the next Terps star from Baltimore might be, but a couple of guys are high on their watch list.
I'm hearing Maryland is close to offering Billy Stanfield III, a 2028 forward at Calvert Hall College High School, attended their win over Rutgers last Sunday at Xfinity Center.
"I loved Maryland. It was a great atmosphere. I loved the play that was going on, especially how scrappy they were because I'm a two-way player. It was a great environment," he said. "I like how they're hard coaches, but they're going to let you play and let you boogie."
Stanfield, 6-6 and 180 pounds, is regarded as one of the top freshmen in the state. He plays for Team Durant on the EYBL circuit.
"I can play both sides of the floor. I can play on the wing, I can score. I'm coachable. I'm 6-6," he said.
"I watched a little bit of Maryland growing up," he said, adding that he's receiving interest from Syracuse, Georgetown Arkansas, LSU, Oregon and Notre Dame. West Virginia offered this week.
Can he see himself in College Park down the road?
"For sure," he said. "It's home. I love it."
Maryland also looks close to offering his fellow 2028 standout, Braxton Bogard, a big man at Archbishop Spalding. The 6-8 forward has impressive athleticism and could be a big-time national prospect in his class. Maryland's been on fire there in football recruiting. Now the basketball staff will try to transfer that success.
The caveat of watching Derik Queen starring this season has been knowing he's 99 percent sure to leave after the season for the NBA. Maryland will also lose Julian Reese, so some have been surprised that Kevin Willard didn't recruit a high school big man in the 2025 class. But that doesn't mean he's pushing it all off until the portal. I'm hearing Maryland has been working on some international prospects in the frontcourt. No names yet, but it won't be surprising if they go to Europe for a frontcourt addition after the season.
It remains quiet on Chance Mallory. The nation's top uncommitted point guard hasn't spoken much since he reopened his recruitment following Tony Bennett's retirement. But it sounds like Maryland remains a serious contender.
"Maryland has a better chance than people think," a source said.
If Ja'Kobi Gillespie opts for the draft, Mallory could be a strong Maryland lean because of the opportunity for immediate playing time. There's no indication of what Gillespie will do, but it's not a crazy thought given how well he's played this season. NBA scouts coming by to watch Derik Queen have been impressed by Gillespie.
