Kevin Willard has secured his starting backcourt for next season.
Former Georgetown guard Don Carey has announced his commitment to Maryland over Clemson, giving the Terps an impact piece alongside point guard Jahmir Young.
"While remaining 100% dedicated to the pre-draft process, I will be committing to the University of Maryland if I return back to school! This has been a strenuous process but I would like to show appreciation to every single school that has extended their arms out to me, believing I could positively impact their program. My family and I believe in the vision that Coach [Kevin] Willard and his staff have for UMD," Carey wrote on Instagram.
"My growth throughout the last two years as a person, leader and player is a reflection of my experience at the Hilltop. I would like to thank Coach Pat, his staff, my teammates and the Georgetown community for taking a chance on me. Special S/O to Coach [Clinton] Crouch for investing, challenging and empowering me to be the best version of myself! For that I will forever be grateful. I wish Georgetown nothing but the best in the future."
Carey unofficially visited Maryland back on May 5 where he got a chance to sit down and meet the coaching staff, including head coach Kevin Willard, in person.
Carey, a Frederick Douglass graduate, began his career at Mount St. Mary’s back in the 2017-18 season where he started all 32 games and averaged 9 points and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 40.8% from the field. Carey then transferred to Sienna and sat out the 2018-19 season due to NCAA rules, but started in all but two of Sienna’s 30 games where he averaged 11.3 points while shooting 40.9% from the field. After just one season, Carey hit the portal again where he went on to start in 48 games in 54 appearances over the last two seasons for Georgetown. The 6-foot-5 guard finished second on the team after averaging a career-high 13.6 points last season and was later named the winner of the 2022 Big East Sportsmanship Award.
Maryland was involved with other portal guards like Antoine Davis (Detroit) and Jermaine Couisnard (Oregon), but the connections to Carey positioned the Terps in recent weeks. Like Young, Carey also declared for the 2022 NBA Draft while maintaining his college eligibility but is expected to return to school after not receiving an invite for the upcoming combine.
Carey also becomes the second former Hoya portal commitment for Maryland in as many seasons, joining former center Qudus Wahab. Carey joins Young, sophomore Ian Martinez and freshman Ike Cornish in the backcourt next season.
With Carey’s commitment, Maryland now has three available scholarships to work with heading into the 2022-23 season. The bulk of the attention now shifts to providing depth in the backcourt along with finding an impact big man, while former Washington State center Efe Abogidi begins his visit on Friday.