4-star PG Chris Jeffrey requests release from Maryland after Kevin Willard's departure

Brooklyn (N.Y.) Mt. Zion Prep four-star point guard Chris Jeffrey has requested his release from Maryland, according to On3’s Joe Tipton.

Jeffrey had been committed to the Terrapins since October 2024 and signed with them a month later, but is now looking for a new home after head coach Kevin Willard left to take the same job at Villanova.

The 6-foot-3 point guard originally chose the Terrapins over Texas A&M and Mississippi State, but he also received offers from Butler, Michigan, Oklahoma State, Penn State, and Tennessee.

“Coach Willard and the staff have been honest with me since we met, telling me things I’ve done good but also saying things I don’t want to hear,” he told Tipton when he committed. So after I realized that I knew these are the coaches that are going to push me to be the best I can be.”

Jeffrey is the No. 137 overall prospect and No. 18 point guard in the 2025 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

On3, however, is much higher on him than other services. In the most recent rankings update, he was tabbed as the nation’s No. 57 recruit, No. 8 PG and No. 3 player in the state of New York. On the EYBL Circuit over the summer, he averaged 14 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and almost 2 steals per game.

Chris Jeffrey Scouting Report

On3 National Recruiting Analyst Jamie Shaw writes this about him a prospect:

“Jeffrey is a very strong and very physical guy at the point of attack. And just as much as he touches the paint on offense, his physicality on the defensive end makes it tough for the other team to get paint touches. Jeffrey has a 6-foot-3 frame with a plus wing span. Not only is he strong but he has quick hands and he is very competitive. He averaged 2.0 steals per game at Peach Jam. Jeffrey switched on and off the ball and consistently made things tough for his opponents.”