Basketball

Jamie Kaiser draws more optimism heading into first season

Year two of the Kevin Willard era is met with stability following the return of Jahmir Young, Donta Scott and Julian Reese along with the addition of freshman guard Deshawn Harris-Smith. With several key pieces now set in stone for Maryland next season, freshman Jamie Kaiser has drawn buzz since last month’s Italy tour and was named one of five freshmen who could outproduce their high school ranking by On3.

Skinny: While you can probably pick holes in the individual pieces of Jamie Kaiser’s game, you will not be able to question his toughness. The former Division 1 football recruit has a strong, sturdy build with good length. At his best, he can knock down shots with range. At his baseline, he is going to be able to defend and rebound from the wing position while attacking the rim in straight lines. Opportunity will be available on the wing, and Kaiser led the team in scoring on their foreign tour.

That’s lofty praise for Kaiser, who ended his high school career as the 82^nd-best prospect in the country and a four-star recruit in On3’s ranking, along with being a consensus top-100 prospect.

Maryland’s interest in Kaiser, ironically, began on the football side as the former Bishop Ireton product was in line to become a quarterback commit last cycle. But as the two-sport athlete progressed through his junior year, Kaiser made the decision in the spring to stick with basketball as the high major interest gradually poured in. Assistant David Cox was able to build on a relationship with Kaiser that began while still at Rhode Island, a relationship that held weight as schools like Indiana, UCLA and Virginia in pursuit. A late summer unofficial visit to campus helped secure his recruitment, giving Willard his first signature pledge as Maryland’s head coach.

Fast forward one year later heading into Maryland’s international trip, Kaiser was one of two players Willard pointed to as the Terps looked to improve their perimeter scoring. “Noah [Batchelor] has taken a big jump and Jamie Kaiser can shoot it with the best of them. I think just adding those two guys on the floor at any time along with Jahmir who has really improved his shooting will give us options.”

Now comes the question is whether it’s Kaiser who solidifies himself as the fifth starter with a need to replace Hakim Hart in the starting five. While Kaiser and Indiana transfer Jordan Geronimo battle it out with the team back on campus, the perimeter shooting that Kaiser has shown was a trait that Maryland coveted through the 2023 cycle. After committing in August and signing in November, Kaiser will get a chance to become one of the impact freshmen in the Big Ten.

“Jamie is not only an unbelievable shooter, but as talented of a player that I’ve ever recruited. He has unbelievable toughness, a great feel for the game, and is by far one of the best shooters that I will have coached,” Willard said at the time of Kaiser’s signing.

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