Maryland has landed its first portal commitment of the offseason.
Loyola Marymount guard Chance Stephens will to transfer to Maryland following this weekend’s visit, giving head coach Kevin Willard a longterm piece to solidify his backcourt for next season.
Stephens’ contact with Maryland picked up quickly with assistant David Cox leaning on a longtime friendship to spark the mutual interest once again. Out of Riverside Poly (CA) in high school, Stephens initially committed to David Cox while he was the head coach at Rhode Island, but after the coaching change, Stephens opted for LMU over Rice. The 6-foot-2 guard hit the portal in late March, with Rice in contact yet again, but Stephens added there was “no one as consistent as Maryland.”
“They basically just need a shooter. That’s the bottom line. Just coming off pin downs and ball screens, hit open shots, that’s what they need,” Stephens added. “My dad being from DC, I’ve been there a couple of times and I like the vibe. I’ve got family down there so it’s a good spot.”
With the new transfer commitment following his visit, Stephens fills the last vacant scholarship as the roster currently stands and gives the backcourt a potential solution to its perimeter shooting concerns.
After playing in all but three of LMU’s games last season, Stephens averaged six points in 17 minutes per game but showed flashes of catching hot from deep. Stephens finished third on the team with 49 made threes and fourth on the team at 37.4% shooting from deep. Of his 52 made field goals as a freshman, 49 came from three-point range while Stephens hit a team-high seven threes and season-high 23 points in LMU’s Jamaica Classic Championship game win over Wake Forest, leading to Tournament MVP and WCC Freshman of the Week honors.
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