Maryland Men's Basketball Looks to Fill Key Roster Spots

Terps coach Buzz Williams has some holes to fill after key players return and new recruits join the team.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 1:10pm

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With the NCAA National Championship matchup set and the transfer portal opening soon, Maryland men's basketball is working to finalize its roster for next season. Second-year head coach Buzz Williams has some key pieces returning, including standout freshman Andre Mills and big man Pharrel Payne, as well as a promising incoming recruiting class. However, the Terps still have openings at point guard and power forward, and could use additional outside shooting and depth. Williams is eyeing several potential transfer targets, including Maryland natives Malik Mack and Devin Vanterpool, to help fill those needs.

Why it matters

Maryland is looking to build on a solid first season under Buzz Williams and make a push for the NCAA Tournament. Filling the remaining roster spots with the right transfers will be crucial to the Terps' success next year, as they aim to compete in the Big Ten and return to the Big Dance.

The details

With Mills, Payne, and five-star recruit Baba Oladotun locked in as starters, the Terps have openings at point guard and power forward. They could also use more outside shooting and overall depth, with as many as eight roster spots to fill. Some of the top transfer targets include Maryland natives Malik Mack (Georgetown) and Devin Vanterpool (FAU), as well as Matt Gilhool (LSU), Sonny Wilson (Toledo), and Tyler Tejada (Towson).

  • The transfer portal will officially open right after the NCAA National Championship game.
  • Maryland has until the start of the 2026-27 season to finalize its roster.

The players

Andre Mills

A standout freshman who has announced he is returning to Maryland next season.

Pharrel Payne

A big man who will join the Terps if his medical hardship waiver is approved by the NCAA.

Baba Oladotun

A five-star small forward who is part of Maryland's promising incoming recruiting class.

Malik Mack

A Maryland native who is currently playing at Georgetown and could be a target for the Terps.

Devin Vanterpool

Another Maryland native, he averaged 15.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists for FAU last season.

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What’s next

The transfer portal will officially open in the coming weeks, allowing Maryland to pursue its top targets and finalize the roster for the 2026-27 season.

The takeaway

With a solid core of returning players and a promising recruiting class, Maryland has a strong foundation in place. But filling the remaining roster spots with the right transfers will be crucial for the Terps to take the next step and return to the NCAA Tournament under Buzz Williams.