COLLEGE PARK, MD – Two more incoming players for the Maryland men's basketball team have been officially signed as announced today by new head coach Buzz Williams. Guard Myles Rice from Indiana and power forward Elijah Saunders from Virginia join the foursome of Pharrel Payne, Solomon Washington, Andre Mills, and George Turkson, Jr., who were announced yesterday.
Rice joins the Terps after playing last season at Indiana where he averaged 10.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. He served as team captain and was named to the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award Watchlist. In 32 games, he hit double-figure scoring 18 times with four 20-point games. Prior to his time in Bloomington, he played at Washington State for three seasons. After redshirting his freshman campaign and being granted a medical redshirt during his second season, the native of Columbia, SC, was outstanding in his first full year on the court in 2023-24 where he averaged 14.8 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-3 guard was named to the 2024 Freshman All-America Team, named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, and earned a spot on the All-Pac-12 First Team. He set the Washington State freshman records for single-game scoring (35), single-season scoring (519), single-season assists (134), and single-season steals (56), while helping the Cougars reach the NCAA tournament for the first time in 16 seasons.
"Myles is a true point guard with a tremendous amount of toughness and leadership. His story thus far in college will eventually become a book. I have great admiration for him, his family, and their story. He has played at the highest level in the Big Ten and understands what it takes to compete and win at this level," said Williams. "He has an unshakable will to lead, and his commitment to doing whatever is best for the team will have a significant impact on both sides of the ball. He's the kind of player who will set the right tone, hold himself accountable, and demand the same from his teammates. We are thankful and excited he will be with us as we get started."
Saunders is a rising senior who played last season at Virginia after two seasons at San Diego State where he helped the Aztecs reach the 2023 National Championship game and the 2024 Sweet Sixteen. The 6-foot-8 power forward comes to Maryland having played in 82 career games with 47 starts. For his entire career, the native of Phoenix, AZ, has averaged 6.6 points and 3.6 rebounds. Last year at Virginia, he started 26 of 29 games played averaging 10.4 points and 5.0 rebounds while shooting a career-best 34.7 percent from three-point range. Overall, he has 545 career points, 297 rebounds, 59 assists, and 32 steals in three seasons.
"Elijah's character and competitive spirit combine what we want our program to be about on and off the floor. He comes to us with valuable postseason experience, having played in a Final Four and Sweet Sixteen. His ability to perform when it matters most is something that will elevate our team," said Williams. "Elijah's physicality and versatility are key strengths. He is capable of guarding multiple positions and bringing toughness in both the paint and on the perimeter. His rebounding ability and shooting range also give us flexibility on offense. With his experience and skill set, Elijah will play a crucial role as we continue to build a team that competes at the highest level."
Maryland is coming off a 27-9 campaign in 2024-25 which saw the Terps reach the NCAA Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 2016. In Big Ten play, Maryland finished second in the final standings with a 14-6 league record and reached the Big Ten Tournament semifinals for the first time since 2016.
On April 2, Maryland introduced Williams who will enter his first year at the helm this season. Williams has led his programs to 11 NCAA Tournament appearances and 13 20-win seasons in 18 years as a head coach.
For fans interested in 2025-26 season tickets, interest forms are now available on umterps.com/MBBInterest, and an Athletics Representative will reach out to provide more information for the upcoming season at XFINITY Center.
Rice joins the Terps after playing last season at Indiana where he averaged 10.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. He served as team captain and was named to the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award Watchlist. In 32 games, he hit double-figure scoring 18 times with four 20-point games. Prior to his time in Bloomington, he played at Washington State for three seasons. After redshirting his freshman campaign and being granted a medical redshirt during his second season, the native of Columbia, SC, was outstanding in his first full year on the court in 2023-24 where he averaged 14.8 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-3 guard was named to the 2024 Freshman All-America Team, named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, and earned a spot on the All-Pac-12 First Team. He set the Washington State freshman records for single-game scoring (35), single-season scoring (519), single-season assists (134), and single-season steals (56), while helping the Cougars reach the NCAA tournament for the first time in 16 seasons.
"Myles is a true point guard with a tremendous amount of toughness and leadership. His story thus far in college will eventually become a book. I have great admiration for him, his family, and their story. He has played at the highest level in the Big Ten and understands what it takes to compete and win at this level," said Williams. "He has an unshakable will to lead, and his commitment to doing whatever is best for the team will have a significant impact on both sides of the ball. He's the kind of player who will set the right tone, hold himself accountable, and demand the same from his teammates. We are thankful and excited he will be with us as we get started."
Saunders is a rising senior who played last season at Virginia after two seasons at San Diego State where he helped the Aztecs reach the 2023 National Championship game and the 2024 Sweet Sixteen. The 6-foot-8 power forward comes to Maryland having played in 82 career games with 47 starts. For his entire career, the native of Phoenix, AZ, has averaged 6.6 points and 3.6 rebounds. Last year at Virginia, he started 26 of 29 games played averaging 10.4 points and 5.0 rebounds while shooting a career-best 34.7 percent from three-point range. Overall, he has 545 career points, 297 rebounds, 59 assists, and 32 steals in three seasons.
"Elijah's character and competitive spirit combine what we want our program to be about on and off the floor. He comes to us with valuable postseason experience, having played in a Final Four and Sweet Sixteen. His ability to perform when it matters most is something that will elevate our team," said Williams. "Elijah's physicality and versatility are key strengths. He is capable of guarding multiple positions and bringing toughness in both the paint and on the perimeter. His rebounding ability and shooting range also give us flexibility on offense. With his experience and skill set, Elijah will play a crucial role as we continue to build a team that competes at the highest level."
Maryland is coming off a 27-9 campaign in 2024-25 which saw the Terps reach the NCAA Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 2016. In Big Ten play, Maryland finished second in the final standings with a 14-6 league record and reached the Big Ten Tournament semifinals for the first time since 2016.
On April 2, Maryland introduced Williams who will enter his first year at the helm this season. Williams has led his programs to 11 NCAA Tournament appearances and 13 20-win seasons in 18 years as a head coach.
For fans interested in 2025-26 season tickets, interest forms are now available on umterps.com/MBBInterest, and an Athletics Representative will reach out to provide more information for the upcoming season at XFINITY Center.
