Pharrel Payne Named To Preseason All-Big Ten Team

COLLEGE PARK, MD – As one of the top post players in the country, Maryland's Pharrel Payne was named to the Preseason All-Big Ten Team as announced by the league office on Monday. Payne returns for his fifth year after missing the bulk of 2025-26 due to injury.

In his first season with Maryland last year, Payne started 10 games averaging 17.5 points and 7.2 rebounds. He shot 62.4 percent from the floor (53-85) and was 71.9 percent at the free throw line (69-96). He had three double-doubles in his 10 games played including 17 points/14 rebounds at Iowa, 30 points/10 rebounds against Wagner, and 17 points/11 rebounds against Georgetown.

Overall in his career, Payne has played in 106 overall games with 47 starts between his time at Minnesota (2022-24), Texas A&M (2024-25), and last year with the Terps (2025-26). He has averaged 10.3 points and 5.6 rebounds while shootings 63.8 percent from the field.

Payne leads a revamped Terp squad that returns two of its top leading scorers from last year in himself and Andre Mills (12.2 ppg). Maryland added high-level transfers in DJ Wagner, Tomislav Buljan, and Bishop Boswell as part of 11 incoming players. The four-player freshman class, highlighted by Baba Oladotun, ranks 14^th overall nationally.

Maryland fans will have their first chance to see the Terps in action this Sunday, October 11 in an exhibition game against Georgia Tech hosted by UMBC at the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena. The full schedule for 2026-27 is available on www.UMTerps.com with tip times and television designations expected to be announced later this week. Additional season-long themes, color rush, and game promotions will also be announced soon.

Be part of the tradition all season long. Maryland men's basketball season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at umterps.com/JoinTheTradition or by calling 301-314-7060 to speak with an account representative. Fans should also mark their calendars for Oct. 2 as single-game tickets and mini-packs will officially go on sale to Terrapin Club donors and on Oct. 7 to the general public.

All games will be broadcast on the Maryland Sports Radio Network with legendary Voice of the Terps Johnny Holliday, Chris Knoche, and Walt Williams calling the action.

2026-27 Preseason All-Big Ten Team

Player of the Year
Jeremy Fears Jr., MSU

All-Big Ten
David Mirkovic, ILL
Andrej Stojakovic, ILL
Pharrell Payne, MD
Elliot Cadeau, MICH
Trey McKenney, MICH
Jeremy Fears Jr., MSU (Unanimous)
Pryce Sandfort, NEB (Unanimous)
John Mobley Jr., OSU
Trent Perry, UCLA
Rodney Rice, USC
Nolan Winter, WIS

Players Mentioned

Bishop Boswell

Tomislav Buljan

Andre Mills

Baba Oladotun

Pharrel Payne

DJ Wagner

Footer