The Maryland men’s basketball team continues to load up in the transfer portal. Fresh off news of getting Georgetown transfer center Qudus Wahab, the Terrapins have also landed top point guard transfer Daron “Fatts” Russell.
Russell announced his commitment to Maryland on social media.
The 5-foot-10 senior starred at Rhode Island. This past season he averaged 14.7 points, 4.5 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game. He earned third team All-Atlantic 10 honors a season after he made first team in 2019-20 in which he averaged 18.8 points, 4.6 assists and 2.9 steals.
A Philadelphia native, Russell reunites with his high school teammate forward Donta Scott. Russell chose Maryland over a number of schools that included Gonzaga, Michigan, Arkansas and UCLA.
It’s been an amazing 24 hours for Maryland head coach Mark Turgeon. Reports surfaced Friday he is finalizing a contract extension to remain at Maryland. Saturday, he pulled off the daily double, landing Wahab from Georgetown and Russell from Rhode Island.
After a rebuilding season in which the Terrapins finished 17-14 making a Round of 32 appearance in the NCAA Tournament, Maryland seems set for a bounce back year in 2021-22.
Turgeon has addressed Maryland’s two biggest needs, point guard and center. Adding Wahab and Russell to the starting lineup, the Terrapins are shaping up to be a strong team set to emerge as a contender in the Big Ten Conference.
