COLLEGE PARK, MD – The DMV focus continues for the Maryland men’s basketball team as head coach Kevin Willard officially announced the signing of three four-star recruits on Wednesday. The trio of DeShawn Harris-Smith, Jamie Kaiser, Jr., and Jahnathan Lamothe ranks as the 13-best class in the nation.
Harris-Smith, Kaiser, and Lamothe make up one of the best DMV trios to sign with Maryland since 2002 when Travis Garrison, John Gilchrist, and Chris McCray joined the Terps. It’s the most DMV players to sign with Maryland in 15 years.
As a group, they represent the highest ranked class for Maryland since 2018 when the Terps ranked 7th overall.
“We extremely excited to welcome DeShawn, Jamie, and Jahnathan to the Maryland Basketball family,” said Willard. “They know the culture of Maryland basketball and each will make an immediate impact on the program. They all play with a chip on their shoulder and a drive to make their programs and teammates better every day.”
Four-star recruit who ranks as the No. 1 recruit overall in Virginia and No. 89 nationally by Rivals … Also ranked No. 1 in Virginia by ESPN and is 53rd on among its top-100 recruits … Chose Maryland over Villanova, Indiana, Penn State, and Xavier … As a junior, was the VISAAA Division I State Player of the Year after averaging 14.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 2.2 steals … Led Paul VI to the VISAA Division I State Championship title his junior season as well … Played for Team Takeover as well where he was earned All-Tournament First Team honors at the Peach Jam … Left-handed point guard.
Willard on Harris-Smith – “DeShawn is a 6-foot-5 point guard who makes everyone on the court better. He can impact the game offensively and defensively like no one I’ve coached before.”
Four-star recruit who ranks as the No. 4 recruit overall in Virginia and No. 4 nationally by Rivals … Ranked as the No. 2 recruit from Virginia by ESPN and 65th among their top-100 recruits … Chose Maryland over Indiana and Virginia … Last season at Bishop Ireton in Alexandria, averaged 20.7 points before playing his final season at IMG Academy … One of the top shooters in the country … First Terps since Anthony Cowan, Jr., to commit to Maryland from the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference … Plays for New World AAU program … Life-long Maryland fan who has attended games since childhood.
Willard on Kaiser – “Jamie is not only an unbelievable shooter, but as talented of a player that I’ve ever recruited. He has unbelievable toughness, a great feel for the game, and is by far one of the best shooters that I will have coached.”
Four-star recruit who ranks as the No. 3 recruit overall in Maryland and No. 85 nationally by Rivals… The combo guard chose Maryland over Georgetown, UCF, and Penn State … Plays on Team Durant on the AAU circuit … Led St. Frances to a 35-8 record last year and a No. 2 ranking in The Baltimore Sun high school poll … Will join current Terp Julian Reese who also played at St. Frances … Pronounced “la-mowth”.
Willard on Lamothe – “Jahnathan is one of those players who makes an unbelievable impact on everyone no matter what position he plays on the court. He has the ability to shoot, drive, and become an elite defender.”
Since being named head coach, Willard and his staff have made a renewed focus on strong local recruiting in the talent-rich DMV area. In his first class heading into the 2022-23 season, Willard added former DeMatha standout Jahmir Young and Don Carey who played at Frederick Douglass as transfers, while signing Noah Batchelor who played at Glenelg.
Harris-Smith, Kaiser, and Lamothe make up one of the best DMV trios to sign with Maryland since 2002 when Travis Garrison, John Gilchrist, and Chris McCray joined the Terps. It’s the most DMV players to sign with Maryland in 15 years.
As a group, they represent the highest ranked class for Maryland since 2018 when the Terps ranked 7th overall.
“We extremely excited to welcome DeShawn, Jamie, and Jahnathan to the Maryland Basketball family,” said Willard. “They know the culture of Maryland basketball and each will make an immediate impact on the program. They all play with a chip on their shoulder and a drive to make their programs and teammates better every day.”
Four-star recruit who ranks as the No. 1 recruit overall in Virginia and No. 89 nationally by Rivals … Also ranked No. 1 in Virginia by ESPN and is 53rd on among its top-100 recruits … Chose Maryland over Villanova, Indiana, Penn State, and Xavier … As a junior, was the VISAAA Division I State Player of the Year after averaging 14.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 2.2 steals … Led Paul VI to the VISAA Division I State Championship title his junior season as well … Played for Team Takeover as well where he was earned All-Tournament First Team honors at the Peach Jam … Left-handed point guard.
Willard on Harris-Smith – “DeShawn is a 6-foot-5 point guard who makes everyone on the court better. He can impact the game offensively and defensively like no one I’ve coached before.”
Four-star recruit who ranks as the No. 4 recruit overall in Virginia and No. 4 nationally by Rivals … Ranked as the No. 2 recruit from Virginia by ESPN and 65th among their top-100 recruits … Chose Maryland over Indiana and Virginia … Last season at Bishop Ireton in Alexandria, averaged 20.7 points before playing his final season at IMG Academy … One of the top shooters in the country … First Terps since Anthony Cowan, Jr., to commit to Maryland from the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference … Plays for New World AAU program … Life-long Maryland fan who has attended games since childhood.
Willard on Kaiser – “Jamie is not only an unbelievable shooter, but as talented of a player that I’ve ever recruited. He has unbelievable toughness, a great feel for the game, and is by far one of the best shooters that I will have coached.”
Four-star recruit who ranks as the No. 3 recruit overall in Maryland and No. 85 nationally by Rivals… The combo guard chose Maryland over Georgetown, UCF, and Penn State … Plays on Team Durant on the AAU circuit … Led St. Frances to a 35-8 record last year and a No. 2 ranking in The Baltimore Sun high school poll … Will join current Terp Julian Reese who also played at St. Frances … Pronounced “la-mowth”.
Willard on Lamothe – “Jahnathan is one of those players who makes an unbelievable impact on everyone no matter what position he plays on the court. He has the ability to shoot, drive, and become an elite defender.”
Since being named head coach, Willard and his staff have made a renewed focus on strong local recruiting in the talent-rich DMV area. In his first class heading into the 2022-23 season, Willard added former DeMatha standout Jahmir Young and Don Carey who played at Frederick Douglass as transfers, while signing Noah Batchelor who played at Glenelg.
