It is a weird time to be a Maryland basketball fan. You walk into Xfinity Center and see the banners, the 2002 trophy, and the retired jerseys of legends like Juan Dixon and Greivis Vasquez. But then you turn on the TV on a Tuesday night in January 2026, and you’re scanning NBA rosters trying to find where the Terps actually went. Honestly, the pipeline feels different than it used to. It's not just about producing lottery picks every single year anymore; it’s about these gritty, high-IQ role players who just refuse to be cut.
Maryland players in NBA circles have this specific reputation. They are usually "connectors." They aren't always the guys taking 25 shots a night, but they’re the ones making the extra pass or defensive rotation that keeps a coach from losing his mind.
The New Guard: Derik Queen and the Baltimore Connection
If you want to talk about the current face of Maryland in the league, you have to start with Derik Queen. Man, what a season he’s having. People were skeptical when he left College Park after just one year, but New Orleans knew what they were doing when they traded up to grab him at No. 13 in the 2025 Draft.
Just a few days ago, on January 9, 2026, Queen went back to D.C. to play the Wizards and basically treated Capital One Arena like it was his backyard. He put up a triple-double—14 points, 16 rebounds, and 12 assists. For a rookie center? That is borderline insane. He’s already joined the ranks of only six rookie centers in NBA history to have multiple triple-doubles. The passing is what gets you. Most big men look like they’re holding a live grenade when they get doubled in the post, but Queen just picks teams apart. He’s a legitimate Rookie of the Year candidate, even with guys like Cooper Flagg getting all the national headlines.
The Veterans Keeping the Flag Flying
Then you’ve got the guys who have been around the block. Kevin Huerter is still out there in Sacramento, doing exactly what "Red Velvet" does. He’s 27 now, which feels old in "NBA years," but he’s still a flamethrower. In a recent win against Dallas, he dropped 13 points and 6 assists. He’s averaging about 11.8 points this 2025-26 season. He isn't the primary option, but if you leave him open for a split second, the ball is through the net before you can blink.
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And don't sleep on Aaron Wiggins in Oklahoma City.
Wiggins is the ultimate "how did he fall that far" story. He was a late second-round pick, but now he’s a vital piece of what the Thunder are building. In early January 2026, he was moved into the starting lineup and immediately started producing—11.3 points and 1.8 blocks over a four-game stretch. He’s got that "Maryland toughness." He doesn't care if he’s starting or coming off the bench; he just plays hard.
Current Terps in the Big Leagues (2025-2026 Status)
It's a bit of a revolving door for some of the other guys.
- Jalen Smith: Now with the Chicago Bulls, "Stix" is holding down a role as a stretch-big. He’s earning $9 million this year and carries a solid 77 rating in the latest roster updates. His rebounding is still his best trait.
- Julian Reese: After a monster career at Maryland where he became one of only two players (alongside Len Elmore) to hit 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds, he’s currently grinding with the Raptors 905 in the G League. He signed an Exhibit 10 deal with Toronto in late 2025 and is fighting for a permanent roster spot.
- Alex Len: The big man is actually overseas now. After 12 seasons in the NBA, he signed a multi-year deal with Real Madrid in October 2025. It’s the end of a long, respectable NBA run for the former No. 5 overall pick.
- Bruno Fernando: Similar to Len, Bruno headed to Spain to join Real Madrid for the 2025-26 season after a stint with the Raptors.
Why the "Maryland Style" Translates (Mostly)
The thing about Maryland players in NBA rotations is that they usually possess a high basketball IQ. Whether it was under Mark Turgeon or Kevin Willard, these guys are taught to read the game. Look at a guy like Jahmir Young. He spent time with the Bulls' G League affiliate recently. He’s undersized, sure, but he knows how to manipulate a pick-and-roll better than half the backup guards in the league.
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But it isn't all sunshine. The knock on Maryland prospects lately has been "consistency." You see it with Jalen Smith—flashes of dominance followed by weeks of being a "maybe" in the rotation. It’s a tough league. If you aren't a superstar, you have to be perfect in your role.
The Future: Who is Next?
Looking at the current roster in College Park, everyone is eyeing the 2026 and 2027 drafts. Pharrel Payne has been the bright spot this season, averaging 17.5 points and 7.2 rebounds. He’s got the physical tools—6'9" and 255 pounds—that NBA scouts salivate over. He looks like a guy who could be the next physical interior presence from Maryland to make the jump.
Then there’s the freshman, Darius Adams. He’s a 6'5" guard with a lot of upside, though his shooting percentages (around 32% right now) need to climb before he’s a serious "one-and-done" threat.
Practical Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you are following Maryland players in NBA games for fantasy or just out of loyalty, here is the deal:
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Keep a close eye on Derik Queen's assist totals. The Pelicans are struggling (they're near the bottom of the West), which means they are going to keep feeding their young prize to see what he can do. His "point-center" role is legit. For Aaron Wiggins, his value is tied entirely to the health of the OKC roster. When Lu Dort or Cason Wallace are out, Wiggins is a must-watch player who contributes in almost every statistical category.
The era of Maryland dominance in the NBA might look different than the 90s or early 2000s, but the talent is there. It’s just more specialized now.
To stay updated on these players, you should check the daily box scores for the New Orleans Pelicans and Oklahoma City Thunder, as those two teams currently feature the most active and impactful former Terps. Monitoring the G League "Transactions" page is also a smart move if you're waiting for Julian Reese or Selton Miguel to get their next call-up.