With a pair of local commitments in four-star Jamie Kaiser and Jahnathan Lamothe in Maryland’s 2023 class, a decision time is officially here for a local four-star guard as head coach Kevin Willard looks to maintain the Terps’ momentum on the recruiting trail.
After visiting over the weekend, Paul VI (VA) four-star guard Deshawn Harris-Smith will announce his commitment this week, a source tells Inside the Black and Gold. Harris-Smith, a 6-foot-4 guard, is fresh off an unofficial to Maryland as he and his mother were able to sit down with the staff one more time on Sunday afternoon. Assistant coach Tony Skinn has led the way with the local priority target given Skinn’s close connections to the family and his coaches as head coach Kevin Willard looks to lock down the area’s top talent.
Maryland jumped into the mix for Harris-Smith earlier this summer and after flashing his ability to run the point during the live sessions, the staff’s interest in Harris-Smith grew even more as a long-term answer was needed at the position. Maryland added former DeMatha and Charlotte guard Jahmir Young for the 2022-23 season, but Harris-Smith would fill the role once Young leaves the program in hopes of continuing his career in the NBA.
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Buzz began trickling out that it was Maryland who led for Harris-Smith shortly after four-star guard/forward Jamie Kaiser announced his commitment back on August 7. The two close friends have only aided Maryland’s chances as they’ve battled Villanova, Indiana, Xavier and Penn State over the last month.
Alongside Kaiser and St. Frances guard Jahnathan Lamothe, Maryland would rise inside the top 20 nationally in On3’s team rankings this cycle as Maryland will then turn its attention to the frontcourt. Elsewhere, Maryland made the top five for Putnam Science (CT) four-star wing Mouhamed Dioubate and will host him for an official visit in the coming weeks ahead of an expected fall decision.
Harris-Smith is rated a four-star prospect and a 95 overall by On3, sitting as the 45th-best prospect nationally and top prospect in Virginia.
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