Maryland guard DeShawn Harris-Smith was named one of the top 20 freshmen in American by The Athletic.

in other news

Maryland basketball comes up just short at home versus No. 15 Marquette

Maryland suffers first loss of season, falling at home to Marquette 78-74.

• Scott Greene

WATCH: Kevin Willard Marquette postgame press conference

Watch Maryland head coach Kevin Willard break down his team's home loss to No. 15 Marquette.

• Scott Greene

Maryland thumps Florida A&M 84-53 for third straight 30-plus point win

Maryland tops Florida A&M for third straight win to open season.

• Scott Greene

WATCH: Kevin Willard Florida A&M postgame press conference

Watch Kevin Willard break down his team's win over Florida A&M.

• Scott Greene

Maryland football falls to No. 1 Oregon in Eugene 39-18

Maryland kept it close before ultimately losing to top-ranked Oregon on the road.

• Scott Greene

in other news

Maryland basketball comes up just short at home versus No. 15 Marquette

Maryland suffers first loss of season, falling at home to Marquette 78-74.

• Scott Greene

WATCH: Kevin Willard Marquette postgame press conference

Watch Maryland head coach Kevin Willard break down his team's home loss to No. 15 Marquette.

• Scott Greene

Maryland thumps Florida A&M 84-53 for third straight 30-plus point win

Maryland tops Florida A&M for third straight win to open season.

• Scott Greene

Published Oct 20, 2023

Maryland guard among nation's top 20 freshmen according to The Athletic

Scott Greene • TerrapinSportsReport

Publisher

Maryland guard DeShawn Harris-Smith was named one of the top 20 freshmen in American by The Athletic on Thursday.

Harris-Smith came in at No. 11 on The Athletic's list, one spot behind Kansas guard Elmarko Jackson and five spots ahead of Indiana forward Mackenzie Mgbako, a Rivals five-star who was also voted preseason Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Both Jackson and Mgbako were McDonald's All-Americans.

A four-star prospect and the No. 37-ranked player in the 2023 class according to Rivals, Harris-Smith has continued to see his stock soar leading up to the start of the 2023-2024 season.

Harris-Smith was one of the Terps' top players during the team's overseas trip to Italy in August, averaging 9.7 points and 7.3 rebounds while leading the team in assists.

The 6-foot-5, 215-pounder has drawn considerable NBA buzz before even playing in his first collegiate game.

Maryland head coach Kevin Willard had high praise for Harris-Smith at the league's media day in Minneapolis, calling him "the most physically gifted player I've ever coached."

Willard heaped even more praise on Harris-Smith at the team's annual on-campus media day, which was held Oct. 17.

"He's the most competitive person I've been around," said Willard. "And that's a great skillset. He doesn't want to lose. He brings it every day and that is a rarity in today's kids, it really is. He's got a competitive spirit and a work ethic and that's why he's the best freshman that I've ever had. I know that when he's on the court, there's a fire that rages in him that he does not want to lose. It's a rarity in today's world that you have someone that young that has that fire and that passion and he's got it. And I'll roll with someone like that all day long."

Harris-Smith and the Terps open the season Tuesday, Nov. 7 at home versus Mount St. Mary's. Tip time is set for 7 p.m.

Embed content not availableManage privacy settings

Not a Terrapin Sports Report subscriber? Join today for access to all our premium content and message board community. Already an insider? Join the conversation on the TERPS INSIDER PREMIUM FORUM!