Maryland men’s basketball’s Joshua Tomaic enters transfer portal

Maryland men’s basketball continued its offseason struggles Monday.

Joshua Tomaic, who was set to return as the Terps’ most experienced big man down low, has entered the transfer portal but remains open to returning, the team announced.

With Jalen Smith declaring for the NBA Draft, along with the transfers of 6’10 twins Makhi and Makhel Mitchell, as well as 6’8 Ricky Lindo Jr. — who spent some time at the five position last season — head coach Mark Turgeon is now left with 7’2 Chol Marial as the only legitimate option down low. Boston College transfer Jairus Hamilton, who stands at 6’8, could also be an option, though he doesn’t have much experience at that spot and his immediate eligibility remains up in the air.

“I can’t say enough about my experience at Maryland and with Coach Turgeon and my teammates,” Tomaic said in a press release. “I have grown so much over the last four years both on and off the court. By entering the transfer portal, I am seeing if there are opportunities for an increased role elsewhere for my final year of eligibility. I am still open to completing my collegiate career at Maryland, as well.”

Tomaic appeared in 62 games in his Maryland career. He averaged 1.1 points and 0.5 rebounds across 3.4 minutes per game in 2019-20. While he didn’t play much the year prior, the Lanzarote, Spain, native averaged 8.8 minutes in 2017-18 while scoring 2.2 points and grabbing 1.8 boards per contest.

“Josh has given our program everything we have asked for over the last four years,” Turgeon said. “He has been a terrific teammate and mentor in our locker room. I understand and support his desire to seek more playing time and other opportunities. The door remains open at Maryland should he decide to return.”

Maryland remains on the hunt for a big man with two scholarship spots remaining — three if Tomiac doesn’t return — after missing out on all of their grad transfer targets. Turgeon and his staff has reached out to four-star center Frank Anselem, who is reclassifying to 2020 and recently re-opened his recruitment, according to StockRisers.