Maryland basketball is tight on scholarships this offseason, but that hasn't stopped head coach Kevin Willard and the staff from scouring the transfer portal with over 1,300 names available. This weekend, though, it'll be a longtime connection to the staff that brings in its first portal visitor with Loyola Marymount guard Chance Stephens headed to campus. Chance Stephens, a 6-foot-3 sophomore, will take his first visit since hitting the transfer portal on March 27 when he arrives at Maryland on Friday morning. Stephens admits "it was kind of a quick thing" between the guard becoming available and Maryland's expressing interest as assistant David Cox reignited the relationship. "It was kind of a quick thing when I went in. They reached out there, been consistent so I’ll go down there and see what’s up. I already know Cox and stuff so I wasn’t as pressed to do a Zoom visit and all that," he added. As a former two-star prospect out of Riverside Poly (CA), Stephens originally planned to suit up for Cox at Rhode Island before the coaching change changed those plans, leading him to Loyola Marymount. While his mom's side of the family is originally from Detroit, Stephens' dad grew up in D.C. where the relationship between him and Cox first began. "They grew up together a little. I've known for a long, long time," Stephens added. After entering the portal, Stephens adds that Rice was most consistent aside from Maryland while UNLV has shown interest as of late. Arkansas was another who reached out, but in Stephens' words, there was "no one as consistent as Maryland." After playing in all but three of LMU's games as a true freshman, Stephens was able to flash his upside after averaging six points on 35.9% shooting in 17 minutes per game. All but three of Stephens' 52 made shots came from three last season, while he also finished 7-for-10 from deep, including the game-winner, in the November win over Wake Forest to show exactly what Maryland is looking to add to its backcourt this offseason: three-point shooting. https://twitter.com/NCAABuzzerBters/status/1594456458938134529 "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." Heading into the weekend, Stephens has no further visits planned. He hasn't set a firm timeline for himself as he admitted he's approaching this visit with the idea of, if it's a fit, a decision could come relatively quickly. "I think it could be a possibility," he said. "Depending on how it goes, talking to Willard, seeing what his vision is for me, I think it’s a definite possibility. I don’t have a timeline or when I’m going to commit but if this is the spot, then that’s it. I’m not going to make it too difficult on myself. I think this visit is going to be good." Heading into Chance Stephens' visit, Maryland has one vacant scholarship heading into the weekend and pending Donta Scott's official announcement. Related Links
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