Maryland star guards Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Rodney Rice entered the transfer portal on Monday, a day after Kevin Willard accepted the vacant job at Villanova amid a cloud of conflict with power-brokers. The news essentially seals what Maryland fans feared: No member from the beloved ‘Crab Five’ is staying behind in College Park. Maryland’s starting five was among the most productive in the sport.

Maryland star forward Julian Reese and guard Selton Miguel are out of eligibility. Star center Derik Queen will likely head to the 2025 NBA Draft as a projected lottery pick.

All five Maryland starters averaged at least 12 points per game. The Terrapins were the only team in Division I basketball to do so. Maryland’s starters combined to score 69 points per game total — the 10th most by an NCAA Tournament team in the last 10 years.

Rice transferred to Maryland following the 2022-23 season and did not play last year. In his first season playing for Maryland, he averaged 13.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. Gillespie transferred to Maryland last offseason after spending two years with Belmont. He averaged 14.7 points (second-most on the team), 4.8 assists, and 2.8 rebounds.

Maryland finished the 2024-25 season 27-9 and lost to No. 1 seed Florida 87-71 in the Sweet 16.