After finalizing portal recruiting efforts last month, Maryland basketball shifted its recruiting focus from the portal to the 2025 class as they work to bring their top targets to campus for official visits. With several still expected to be set in the coming weeks, the first official visit is now complete for Mount Zion Prep (MD) four-star point guard Chris Jeffrey after taking a mid-week official visit to Maryland last week. Assistant Greg Manning Jr. has led the way with the 6-foot-3 guard originally out of New York, but the last two weekends have given Jeffrey a chance to get comfortable around the rest of the staff after the Terps maintained a presence at Mt. Zion’s games in DMV Live where he averaged 21 points, 3.7 assists and 2.5 steals while shooting over 48% from the field. That also includes a double-double last weekend when Jeffrey posted 32 points, 13 rebounds and five steals in a 56-51 win vs. 1 of 1 Academy (NC), but the consistent presence from the Terps’ staff left a mark on Jeffrey as the two sides ramped up efforts through June. “It felt really good being around them because they’re always at my games, so sitting down and getting to talk to them face-to-face was really good,” Jeffrey told IBG. “It was great getting up there, getting to know the coaching staff a little bit more, seeing things that they do and how they differ from other colleges because they take their bodies way more serious to get to the next level. A lot of coaches prepare for right now but I could tell that Maryland, they’re preparing to get guys to the next level.” It helped to have another familiar face around him with former Mt. Zion guard and current Maryland freshman Malachi Palmer spending time with the top 2025 target. “I was out to eat with Malachi for a bit with the coaches. Seeing how happy he is, that’s showing me they’re doing something right up there. He’s excited to be there. He had nothing bad to say, everything was positive so that was real good.” While Palmer looks to carve out his role in the backcourt rotation as a two, Jeffrey’s official visit gave him a chance to drill into how the physical point guard fits into the long-term plans in the backcourt. “He likes that I’m just tough. A lot of kids don’t have toughness and heart so me being tough, that put me over the hump a lot because I can score, I can defend so that really gave me another boost,” Jeffrey added. “Coach Willard, he does great with guards. I feel like every point guard needs a coach who knows how to handle guards and every guard he had was either player of the year or first or second-team all-conference so that really makes a difference.” While Jeffrey was never planning on committing during or after the official visit, the Terps moved into his top two with plans to officially visit both Butler and Mississippi State in the fall. “Everything is good, it’s just down to whether I wanted to decide now but I want to take my time with it.” Chris Jeffrey is rated a four-star prospect and a 90 overall by On3, checking in as the third-best prospect in Maryland and the nation's fifth-best combo guard. Related Links Malik Washington on his Maryland commitment, upcoming camp, basketball futureTerps in the NBA: Aaron Wiggins finalizes extension, Jalen Smith finds new homeSidney Stewart breaks down Maryland commitment, staff tiesMaryland makes final three for four-star CB Blake WoodbyTerps in NBA: Alex Len returning to Sacramento, Aaron Wiggins in line for extensionFriendship four-star DL Bryce Jenkins sets commitment dateSunday VIP notes (+)
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