Maryland basketball’s first official visitor of the month is in the books as four-star guard Jaeden Mustaf wrapped up his official visit over the weekend.
Maryland’s pursuit of Mustaf began when assistant Mike Jones joined the program back in the spring, and Jones continued to spearhead those efforts heading into the key visit.
Jaeden and the family got a chance to watch the team workout, go check out the football tailgates before checking out the game against Towson. After that, the overall pitch was centered around a hometown feel while delving into the playing time available to Jaeden next season, along with the fit in Willard’s system. It sounds like the staff spent a long time on Saturday delving into the film, too, as the way Willard lets his point guards play stuck with Jaeden. Veteran Jahmir Young has been a player who’s kept in touch with Jaeden through the process and they were able to spend quality time together, while it was Jamie Kaiser Jr. who was the player host through the weekend given he and Mustaf’s connection playing at New World together.
A hurdle going into the weekend was the lack of communication between Willard and his parents through the process, with Willard primarily connecting with Jaeden himself. I’m told that wasn’t something that was outright addressed by Willard or the staff through the weekend. I’m told, however, that Willard and the staff meshed well with Mustaf’s family through the weekend and that following the visit, the family is on board with Willard.
As for what’s next before a decision, I’m told that Maryland still remains the last visit. Arkansas is the only finalist that hasn’t hosted him yet, and while there was back and forth, timing right now makes it tough for Jaeden to get out for another visit.
Jaeden heads to Vegas on Saturday for an OTE game on Sunday, and now, the Razorbacks are in the process of scheduling a Zoom visit. Florida State, Georgia Tech and NC State remain in the top group with Arkansas a wildcard down the stretch. Commitment is set for Sept. 14 as he bounces between his finalists, but Maryland rolled out the red carpet to give themselves a chance to fill one of two key needs this cycle. Now, the Terps will hope that growing confidence materializes into their first commitment of the cycle with more top targets headed to campus through the month. Next up, 2025 four-star Efe Oliogu heads to College Park for his official visit beginning Friday.
Young Terps: what to expect when Maryland hosts Charlotte
As familiar faces head to College Park, Maryland preparing for “faceless, nameless opponent”
Maryland adds local lineman to 2024 class
Taulia Tagovailoa feels “great” heading into Charlotte
Analyzing Maryland’s offensive line rotations in the win vs. Towson (+)