The Terps earned their first commitment from a class of 2024 prospect on Monday.
Maryland men’s basketball secured its first commitment in the class of 2024 when guard Malachi Palmer announced Monday his decision to play for the Terps at a ceremony in his hometown of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Palmer chose Maryland over Florida State, Oklahoma State, Seton Hall and West Virginia.
Although some outlets list him as a three-star prospect, the 247Sports Composite rates Palmer as a four-star recruit, ranking him as the second-best prospect from Maryland and No. 119 overall recruit in his class.
The 6-foot-5, 185-pound Palmer currently attends Mt. Zion Prep (Baltimore, Md.) after transferring from Central Dauphin High (Harrisburg, Pa.). He has also appeared on the Nike EYBL circuit with Team Melo and NY Renaissance.
In a November analysis of Palmer, 247Sports director of scouting Adam Finkelstein said: “Palmer is a big-bodied volume scorer. … He’s a proficient passer when he wants to be, but tends to be ball-dominant and settle for tough shots at times,” noting his EYBL field goal percentage of 33% and three-point percentage of just 24%.
While Palmer may not be an immediate answer to Maryland’s lack of reliable outside shooters, he does possess a coveted combination of size and physicality that offers positional versatility. He reached the 1,000-point mark for his high school career in mid-December and can guard multiple positions on the defensive end.
With star point guard Jahmir Young playing out his final college season, more responsibility will be placed upon the Terps’ backcourt youth to step into larger roles. Palmer doesn’t project to compete for a starting spot in the early stages of his career, but nonetheless adds to a group of Maryland guards who, with the exception of Young, all have the option to return next season.
Last cycle, Maryland earned commitments from all but one of its eventual signees by late August, putting together a top-20 class nationally. Securing the ever-important first pledge took a while longer this time around, but head coach Kevin Willard is on the board in the class of 2024.