COLLEGE PARK, MD -- Maryland women's basketball head coach
Brenda Frese officially signed two All-Big Ten honorees to the roster for the 2025-26 season Tuesday. The Terrapins welcome guard Yarden Garzon and center Gracie Merkle.
YARDEN GARZON
Guard • 6-3
Senior
Ra'anana, Israel • Ostrovsky (Indiana)
- All-Big Ten Second Team honors (2022-23, 2024-15)
- All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (2023-24)
- All-Big Ten Freshman Team (2023)
- played three seasons at Indiana
- In her three seasons, averaged 12.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 42.6 percent from outside the arc
- In 2024-25, posted 14.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and shot 40.7 percent from three-point range
- Was the Hoosiers' leading scorer
- At Indiana, was the program's all-time leader in three pointers made with 220.
Frese on Garzon: "Yarden has been such a core player on really good, winning teams. When her name popped up, our staff knew right away it was worth a call. We've scouted her and prepared to play against her for three years. She's a really talented and smart player who scores, rebounds and sets up her teammates. Once we spoke with her and hosted her on a visit, we realized she's a sweet girl who's going to fit in with our team. It didn't hurt that she looked up to Maryland's own Shay Doron when she was young. I wish we'd have recruited her four years ago, but better late than never. I'm glad she and her family are going to be part of our program."
Garzon on Maryland: "First of all, I chose Maryland because of the people. From the moment I stepped on campus for my visit, I felt welcomed and loved. The women's basketball program at Maryland is known for its competitiveness and development of players which were both very important to me and I felt this could be the perfect fit. I'm excited to get started and Go Terps!"
GRACIE MERKLE
Center • 6-6
Redshirt Junior
Mount Washington, KY • Bullitt East (Bellarmine / Penn State)
- All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (2024-25)
- Played 2024-25 season at Penn State, where she put up 15.5 points, 8.6 rebounds
- third in the country and led the Big Ten in field goal percentage at 60 percent
- Scored in double figures in 23 of 28 games and notched 13 double-doubles
- Played her freshman year at Bellarmine, where she averaged 15.1 points and 11 rebound per game with 19 double-doubles.
Frese on Merkle: "We saw firsthand how dominant Gracie can be in the paint. She was a handful to deal with when we tried to defend her. When I told our players we were trying to get her, they were excited. We probably haven't had a dominant low post presence like Gracie since Brionna Jones. She's really strong, has great hands and finishes at a high rate. She's also a willing screener for teammates. When we met her family on the visit, we were so impressed. They're humble, grateful people who wanted to know how they could help. I'm excited to have them as a part of our family."
Merkle on Maryland: "I chose Maryland because of the winning culture. I developed a belief in the coaching staff and a relationship with the players as soon as I stepped on campus. The development I'm looking for is proven with Coach Frese. I'm so excited to be a part of Terp Nation!"
