Mir McLean and Saylor Poffenbarger: Reunited

Redshirt junior guard Saylor Poffenbarger and graduate forward Mir McLean grew up less than an hour from the University of Maryland. 

Poffenbarger — a native of Middletown — and McLean — a native of Baltimore — are two of many home-grown student-athletes now residing in College Park. Their proximity to the school as young up-and-coming prized basketball recruits sparked fandom. It also fueled a desire to play for its illustrious women’s basketball team. 

“I actually was a really big Terp fan,” Poffenbarger said. “I came to all the camps. My mom actually convinced me not to commit in seventh grade because leaving here, I was like, ‘I'm coming to Maryland.’ I was like 12 years old.” 

McLean shared a similar sentiment, referring to attending Maryland as a dream.   

“Maryland’s home,” McLean said. “It’s always been home. “It’s been a dream [to attend Maryland] since high school that I’ve had.”

Their aspirations of playing for the Terps weren’t fulfilled until their respective fourth seasons, as both transferred schools twice before returning home. Although it took time for their childhood dreams to materialize, both believe their journeys unfolded the way they did for a reason.   

A substantial part of their beliefs is influenced by how their careers contributed to their relationship with one another. Poffenbarger, a Middletown High School attendee, and McLean, a Roland Park Country School alumna, squared off against each other during their senior years of high school before teaming up as freshmen at UConn for the 2020-21 season.

They were roommates while playing for the Huskies in Mansfield, where they formed a friendship they brought to College Park. 

“Saylor is my best friend,” McLean said. “She's someone I can always depend on. … She's someone that is going to help me raise my kids one day, someone that's going to be at my wedding. She's someone that's very important to me. Her family has helped me through a lot, and she's just a great person to have in your corner.”

Poffenbarger shared a similar sentiment, expressing how McLean supported her during her first time transferring schools. 

“Mir is definitely one of my best friends,” Poffenbarger said. “Being able to stay as close as we did while we weren’t together was really cool to see. She definitely was someone I leaned on very heavily during the process of transferring from UConn and making that decision.”

McLean was part of UConn’s 2020 recruiting class that featured Paige Bueckers, Aaliyah Edwards, Nika Muhl and Piath Gabriel. The class featured three players on ESPNW’s HoopGurlz 100 rankings, including Bueckers (No. 1), Edwards (No. 23) and McLean (No. 25). 

Poffenbarger was part of Uconn’s 2021 recruiting class but joined the program early, midway through the 2020-21 season. All four players in the class — including her — appeared on the ESPNW’s HoopGurlz 100 rankings, including Azzi Fudd (No. 1), Caroline Ducharme (No. 5), Amari DeBerry (No. 15) and Poffenbarger (No. 30). DeBerry is also now a Terp. 

McLean and Poffenbarger won the Big East Tournament together and were part of the Huskies’ NCAA Final Four team in 2021. However, their time together was short-lived. Following the season, Poffenbarger entered the transfer portal and went to Arkansas. 

“We had a lot of really tough conversations,” Poffenbarger said. “Leaving UConn isn't the easiest thing to do, and she was a huge support system for me. She supported me no matter what.”

McLean remained at UConn to begin the following 2021-22 season. However, she entered the transfer portal after appearing in just three games for the Huskies. She transferred to Virginia, where the NCAA granted her a waiver to be eligible to play immediately.

Both had success at their new schools and remained in contact almost every day for the next two years. But Poffenbarger utilized the portal once more, and so did McLean. Poffenbarger officially committed to the Terps on April 22, 2024. Five days prior, McLean put her name in the portal after a knee injury cut her 2022-23 with the Cavaliers short. It took McLean just two weeks to decide to reunite with her best friend at Maryland.

Although returning close to home was a significant factor in their decision to come to Maryland, their relationship was also a major component. They’re once again sharing the court. 

“We're so happy to be back,” McLean said. “We couldn't wait to get back and live together and do all of our girly activities and things like that. So it's super fun having her in my face again on the court.”

Now roommates at Maryland, Poffenbarger and McLean’s tight-kit relationship represent the culture associated with Maryland women’s basketball. The program operates under familial values, which head coach Brenda Frese has shaped over her 23 years as head coach.  

“From a basketball perspective, the family atmosphere has been great,” Poffenbarger said. “It’s super welcoming and super supportive. Everyone supports everyone, everyone loves everyone, which is everything I’ve wanted. Also, just being around my family. I will never take for granted a 45-minute drive [home].”