Buzz Williams makes four-star splash to start Maryland’s 2026 recruiting class

Buzz Williams is wasting no time putting his stamp on the Maryland basketball program. The newly hired head coach picked up his first major commitment for the 2026 recruiting class, landing talented four-star forward Austin Brown.

Brown, a 6-foot-7 wing out of Lufkin, Texas, announced his decision to join the Terrapins earlier today. His commitment gives Williams and his staff an early momentum boost as they look to rebuild Maryland into a Big Ten contender.

“I can honestly say that it felt like the closest place to home,” Brown told Joe Tipton of On3Recruits.

He picked Maryland over several other programs, including Texas A&M, Iowa, Minnesota, and Rice. 

Brown is considered one of the top players in his state, coming in at No. 15 overall. Nationally, he’s viewed as a top-60 small forward and is ranked No. 142 overall, according to 247Sports, which also gave him a strong composite grade of 93.

The rising junior visited College Park on June 23, meeting with Williams and the rest of the coaching staff. Evidently, the visit made a strong impression as Brown committed less than a week later.

Williams, who takes over for Kevin Willard following his offseason move to Villanova, is looking to elevate the Terps back into national relevance. That process starts with building a strong foundation through recruiting—and Brown fits that mold.

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Brown’s the kind of player who can help Maryland in a lot of different ways. He’s got the size to hold his own on the wing, but enough skill to play out on the perimeter too. That mix gives the Terps options with how they use him down the line.

It’s a big pickup for Buzz Williams, especially as he’s just getting started with the 2026 class and laying the groundwork for what’s next at Maryland.