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The Maryland Terrapins got some huge news on Monday afternoon when news broke that forward Bruno Fernando would be returning to school. He had declared without an agent for the 2018 NBA Draft, but fans learned that he would now be returning to school.
Maryland’s Bruno Fernando will withdraw from the NBA Draft and return to College Park, source told ESPN. Now the big one for the Terps is whether Kevin Huerter does the same.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) May 28, 2018
During last season, Fernando averaged 10.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game during 30 contests. His minutes and production gradually increased over the year as well. Fernando generally played between 10 and 20 minutes earlier in the season, but that moved closer to the 30 range by the final games of the season.
There’s absolutely on debating that this is massive news for the Terps. With such a young roster last season, Maryland looked poised for a huge 2018-’19 season, if the Terps got the right breaks during the offseason. Fernando coming back was certainly part of that.
With Fernando back in the fold, Maryland could put one of the most talented lineups in the Big Ten on the floor next season. Anthony Cowan and Darryl Morsell should return in the backcourt, Kevin Huerter could come back on the wing, and Fernando should lock down most of the minutes upfront. Notably, Huerter still hasn’t announced if he will return.
And all of that doesn’t even include what figures to be a loaded 2018 recruiting class. The Terps are adding a five-star in Jalen Smith upfront and two other top 75 prospects in the backcourt. Simply put, there’s a lot to like about next year’s roster.
Whether Maryland can achieve its goals next season with Fernando back in the fold remains to be seen, but fans have to be excited. The league just got one of its most talented big men back for another season.