The Maryland Terrapins are poised for a turnaround as two high‑profile transfers join the program ahead of the upcoming season. Their arrival comes at a time when the team has been searching for greater consistency on both ends of the floor.
Tomislav Buljan, a 6‑foot‑10 power forward, arrives from New Mexico where he averaged 13.1 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. He ranked seventh nationally in rebounding, earned a 2025–26 Second Team All‑Mountain West honor, and set a UNM single‑season record with 141 offensive rebounds.
DJ Wagner, a guard who spent his college career at Arkansas, contributed 7.4 points and 2.4 assists per game while sharing the court with several NBA Draft prospects. His shooting efficiency improved each year, climbing from 29.2 percent as a freshman to 34.6 percent as a junior.
Complementary Strengths
Buljan’s interior dominance and Wagner’s perimeter skill set are designed to complement each other. Buljan will anchor the paint, providing the kind of rebounding and post presence that the Terps have lacked in recent seasons.
Maryland plans to pair Buljan with returning senior Pharrel Payne, forming one of the Big Ten’s most imposing frontcourts. Payne’s scoring ability combined with Buljan’s rebounding should give the team a more reliable inside game.
Wagner’s defensive versatility and decision‑making are expected to shore up a backcourt that has struggled with consistency. His experience and playmaking could bring a steadier offensive rhythm to the team.
The coaching staff believes the new pieces will translate into higher efficiency, stronger late‑game execution and a deeper run in the conference tournament. If the early chemistry holds, Maryland could break into the upper echelon of the Big Ten and secure a postseason berth, a prospect that has been elusive in recent years.