The Maryland Terrapins men’s basketball team might not have the national cache of Duke or Michigan but they’ve made quite a reputation for themselves as a great college basketball program.
The Terps have won one national championship, been to two Final Fours, and made four Elite Eights. When they say “Fear the Turtle,” you better. The Terps have produced some fairly elite and well-known basketball stars over the years and continue to do so today.
Let’s take a closer look at the top 10 Maryland Terrapins of all time.
10. Buck Williams, power forward
Buck Williams was a monster on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. He led the ACC twice in rebounding, and was ACC Rookie of the Year, Williams averaged 15.5 points per game in his sophomore and junior years. He also earned All-ACC honors in 1980 and 1981. Williams is part of the Terps Hall of Fame and is part of the ACC-50th Anniversary team.
9. Walt Williams, small forward
When Walt Willams arrived in College Park, Maryland was in bad shape. They were dealing with NCAA sanctions and the program was on the verge of collapse. Instead of leaving, Williams decided to stay put and build back the foundation of Terps basketball. Williams was on the Associated Press All-America Second Team as a senior, averaging a school-record 26.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.1 steals. He also broke Len Bias’s single-season scoring record with 776.
8. Steve Blake, point guard
Steve Blake was part of the only Maryland team to bring home a national championship. He also led them to the Final Four the year before. Blake was the first ACC player to compile 1,000 points, 800 assists, 400 rebounds, and 200 steals. He finished his career 5th in NCAA all-time career assists with 972. Blake was also All-ACC (first and third team) during his college career.
7. Joe Smith, power forward
Who can forget Joe Smith? Smith became the catalyst for the Terps teams in the mid-90s. As a sophomore, he averaged 20.8 points and 10.6 rebounds and was named an AP All-American. Named ACC Rookie of the Year as a freshman, he would eventually be named National Player of the Year and ACC Player of the Year. He also made the All-ACC first team twice. He went on to be the No. 1 draft choice of the Golden State Warriors.
6. Albert King, small forward
Albert King is the brother of NBA great Benard King, but he was also great himself while at Maryland. King was a two-time All-American, ACC Player of the Year, and ACC Tournament’s MVP. During his time as a Terp, King averaged 17 points and six rebounds per game. Another little-known fact about King is that he was considered the top high school prospect the same year as some guy named Magic Johnson.
5. Tom McMillen, power forward
Tom McMillen might be more known as a politician now but before that, he was a star for Maryland. McMillen was the No. 1 recruit coming out of high school and was recruited heavily by the likes of Dean Smith and John Wooden. He decided to stay close to home and play for the Terps. McMillen was a three-time All-American (he made the first, second, and third teams) and was first-team All-ACC twice. He was also part of the 1972 Olympic team that controversially lost to the Soviet Union. McMillen ended his college career averaging over 20 points a game for Maryland.
4. John Lucas II, point guard
The great John Lucas made a name for himself while playing for Maryland. He was a two-time All-American, ACC Athlete of the Year, and a three-time All-ACC selection. Lucas had led the Terrapins to three 20-win seasons. At the time you had to win your conference tournament to make the NCAA field, so Lucas and the Terps only made the NCAA Tournament once. He averaged almost 11 points and seven assists in his college career.
3. Len Elmore, center
College basketball fans know Len Elmore as a basketball commentator but he was a pretty good player back in the day. Elmore played with the Terps in the 1970s and was an All-American, making the All-ACC team three times. He is still Maryland’s all-time leading rebounder, both in total rebounds and average. In 2002, Elmore was selected to the ACC 50th Anniversary men’s basketball team. During his college career, Elmore averaged a double-double.
2. Juan Dixon, point guard
Juan Dixon was a great player for the Terps and helped lead them to their first and only NCAA Tournament championship. Dixon was a two-time All-American, ACC Player of the Year, ACC Athlete of the Year, and a three-time All-ACC selection. He also was named MVP of the Final Four. Dixon is also the Terps’ all-time leading scorer. He also became the only player in NCAA history to accumulate 2,000 points, 300 steals, and 200 three-point field goals. Dixon is also the school’s all-time men’s leader in three-pointers made (239) and attempted (615).
1. Len Bias, small forward
We all know the story of the tragic end to Len Bias’ life, but let’s celebrate his great basketball career. Bias was a two-time All-American, two-time ACC Player of the Year, ACC Athlete of the Year, ACC Tournament MVP, and was first-team All-ACC twice. Bias was a menacing force on the court who could easily take over a game with his abilities on the defensive and offensive side. That’s one of the reasons the Boston Celtics made him their first-round draft pick. One Celtics scout even compared him to the great Michael Jordan. His early death has always made people wonder what could have become of the Terps great.
