Anthony Cowan To Return To Maryland

The Maryland Terrapins got some huge news this week as guard Anthony Cowan announced that he would be returning to school and removing himself from the 2019 NBA Draft. The news sets up what could be a special 2019-’20 season for the Terps.

Cowan may not have the raw numbers to match some of the Big Ten’s top players of the last decade, but he’s quietly been a really productive option. While he may not be an All-Big Ten first team contributor, he’s certainly been in that next tier more often than not. And last season, he finished averaging 15.6 points and 4.4 assists per game, helping to lead Maryland to its third Round of 32 appearance in five years.

For Maryland, this news can’t be understated. Again, Cowan might not have been Big Ten Player of the Year last season, but he’s an experienced and productive guard. More often than not, the best college teams have a player that fits that description. Cowan’s reserves are solid prospects, but they’ll be much more productive behind Cowan this season.

And perhaps more importantly, Cowan fills out what looks like an absolutely loaded lineup for the Terps next season. Cowan and Darryl Morsell return in the backcourt, Eric Ayala and Jalen Smith return on the wing, and the Terps are bringing in two prospects upfront, including four-star center Makhi Mitchell. If any of the returners take a step forward as projected, this could be a special group for the Terps.

Cowan doesn’t guarantee that Maryland will find success this season, but it’s certainly huge news for one of the teams projected to finish near the top of the league next season.