Maryland Basketball Lands Top Recruiting Class
Head coach Buzz Williams has solidified the future of Maryland basketball with the addition of four highly-touted recruits. The program welcomes Austin Brown, Kaden House, Adama Tambedou, and Baba Oladotun, forming a quartet that has garnered significant attention and is poised to make an immediate impact.
Austin Brown: A Dynamic Wing
Austin Brown, a 6-foot-8 power forward from Lufkin High School in Texas, is a composite four-star recruit. He was the first commitment in the 2026 class. Ranked as the No. 116 overall recruit, Brown held offers from several prominent programs, including Iowa, Minnesota, SMU, and Texas A&M.
Brown's connection to Maryland extends beyond the court. He played for JL3 Elite on the Nike EYBL AAU circuit, coached by Maryland alum and all-time great John Lucas. During his high school career, Brown earned the title of 2024 District 16-5A MVP and was named to the 2024 All-Region Team.
Coach Williams expressed his enthusiasm for Brown's addition, stating, "We've known Austin for some time now and have a long-lasting relationship with him and his family. He is a terrific fit for our style of play as well as a great culture fit. At 6-foot-8, he is a dynamic wing player who will be ready physically to compete in the Big Ten. Austin will be able to play a number of positions in our system and is a physical rebounder as well."
Kaden House: A Scoring Guard with NBA Pedigree
Kaden House, a four-star combo guard from Compass Prep in Arizona, is another significant addition to the Maryland roster. Ranked as a top-50 overall recruit in the 2026 class, House is the 247sports No. 37 player in the class.
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House's basketball lineage is noteworthy. He is the son of former NBA player Eddie House, who was a standout at Arizona State. The 6-foot-3 guard averaged 13.5 points last season, leading Compass Prep, along with 3.5 rebounds and nearly three assists and three steals per game. House also received offers from Vanderbilt, TCU, LSU, and Michigan. His twin brother, Kalek, committed to Xavier earlier in the year. Prior to his time at Compass Prep, House began his high school career at Scottsdale Desert Mountain.
"Kaden is someone who really wants to be a part of what we do as a program and how we develop not just players, but people. He is a downhill guard who can defend and score at the rim with a unique ability to draw and play through contact," said Williams. "Growing up with a father who was an NBA player gives him perspective on the processes needed to develop and the work it takes."
Adama Tambedou: A Champion with Potential
Adama Tambedou, a four-star forward, joins Maryland after winning a national championship title with Putnam Science Academy. He is ranked No. 108 nationally and No. 2 in the state of Connecticut. Tambedou also played for the Rhode Island Elite AAU program on the Puma circuit, where he averaged 15.6 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks through 14 games last season. He chose Maryland over Iowa State, among others.
Tambedou played a vital role in Putnam's fifth prep national championship title in the last seven years, with the Mustangs achieving a school record of 41-2 overall. He averaged 7.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, one block, and one steal per game, while shooting 61 percent from the floor.
Williams commented on Tambedou's development, stating, "Adama has really developed into a strong, physical player who can stretch the floor. He is one who wants to work hard, develop, and be in a system that will maximize him as a player and a person. He's had a unique journey and path, but has found success in each turn and used his experiences to make him an exceptional young man."
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Baba Oladotun: A Five-Star Talent
Baba Oladotun, a five-star wing from James Hubert Blake High School in Rockville, is one of the most highly-regarded recruits in the nation. The Silver Spring native is ranked as the No. 10 overall recruit, the No. 1 prospect in Maryland, and the No. 3 ranked small forward. He is the second-highest rated recruit to sign with Maryland, following Diamond Stone (No. 8) and ahead of Derik Queen (No. 12), Jalen Smith (No. 15), and Darius Adams (No. 15). Oladotun chose Maryland over Arkansas, Georgetown, and Kentucky.
The 6-foot-10 wing also played in AAU for Team Durant on the EYBL circuit. His father, Ibrahim, played at Virginia Tech from 1989-91 and professionally in England and Greece. Oladotun is the third five-star signee over the last three seasons, joining Derik Queen (2024) and Darius Adams (2025). Originally part of the 2027 high school class, Oladotun reclassified in August.
Last season for Blake, he averaged 22.5 points per game, 7.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.8 steals.
"While Baba is relatively young for his age as a player compared to his peers, as a person he is wise beyond his years. That's not just a credit to how he has gone through his process, but to how his family has raised him and his siblings," said Williams. "He will be a terrific fit for our program in how he wants to grow as a player and a person. Baba has a high potential and will make an impact from the first day. His length, athleticism, and high basketball IQ make him one of the top players in the country."
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