COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Former Alabama forward Galin Smith signed with the Maryland basketball team Tuesday and will join the roster for the 2020-21 season.
Smith, a 6-foot-9 graduate transfer, was a regular contributor for the Crimson Tide over the past three seasons, playing 12.8 minutes per game while averaging 3.2 points and 2.3 rebounds.
“Maryland fans can expect to see hunger, passion and effort from me every time I step foot on the court,” Smith said in a statement released by the school. “I’ll bring a positive influence and will represent the campus and community well. I can’t wait to experience the atmosphere at Maryland I’ve heard so much about.”
Smith will be eligible immediately and should play a prominent role. He is likely to share minutes at center with Chol Marial, a 7-2 rising sophomore who Maryland hopes will have an expanded role. Marial, who had surgery to repair stress fractures in both legs in September, appeared in only 12 games as a freshman, averaging 0.8 points and 1.6 rebounds in 5.7 minutes.
Maryland needs to fill the void left by Jalen Smith, a two-year starter who averaged 15.5 points and 10.5 rebounds this past season and was named first-team all-Big Ten. Smith played 31.2 minutes per game and developed into a dependable three-point shooter. While Galin Smith has not had that level of production, he could slide into that starting role.
“Galin is exactly what we were looking for in a veteran 5-man with great strength and size,” Coach Mark Turgeon said in a statement. “He is an experienced post player who will help us right away. He can score and defend effectively in the low post and has the ability to get out on the break. Most importantly, Galin fits our program’s culture in terms of work ethic and personality.”
