Former Rutgers guard Kaylene Smikle committed to Maryland women’s basketball Wednesday, she announced on Instagram.
Smikle, the Terps’ first offseason addition, averaged 16.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 15 games before being sidelined due to an injury. In the 2022-23 season, she was named to the All-Big Ten freshman team and second team All-Big Ten.
Smikle missed the Scarlet Knights’ games against the Terps this past season, but scored 50 points across her two games against Maryland as a freshman.
[Maryland women’s basketball freshman Riley Nelson enters transfer portal]
As a 6-foot guard, Smikle can score on all levels and will fill a hole left behind by the graduations of Jakia Brown-Turner, Brinae Alexander and Lavender Briggs. She’s also a strong defender and can run in transition, which fits well with the Terps’ system.
Smikle joins returning Maryland players Shyanne Sellers, Bri McDaniel, Allie Kubek, Emma Chardon and Emily Fisher. With three incoming freshman and junior college transfer Isi Ozzy-Momodu, the Terps still have five open roster spots to fill in the portal.
