PRESS RELEASE
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (April 12, 2021) – Maryland men’s basketball head coach Mark Turgeon has announced the addition of standout veteran transfers Fatts Russell from Rhode Island and Qudus Wahab (pronounced Kuh-deuce Wuh-hahb) from Georgetown.
Russell is a 5-11, 165-pound graduate transfer who spent the last four seasons starring at point guard for Rhode Island where he became the program’s all-time steals leader and was a First Team Atlantic 10 and All-Defensive Team selection. He was a senior at Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia) when current Terrapin, Donta Scott, was a sophomore.
Wahab is a 6-11, 235-pound forward who just completed his sophomore season at nearby Georgetown. Wahab exploded this past season, averaging 12.7 points and 8.2 rebounds while earning All-Big East Tournament Team accolades en route to the tournament title.
The addition of Russell and Wahab has propelled the Terrapins into a number of early national preseason rankings lists, including Stadium (5), ESPN (6), Jon Rothstein (7), March Madness (8), The Athletic (11) and CBS Sports (13).
FATTS RUSSELL
Guard
8
5-11 // 165
Philadelphia, Pa.
Imhotep Charter // Rhode Island
Fatts Russell: “I’m extremely excited to have the opportunity to play at the University of Maryland for Coach Turgeon and join my new teammates. I know we are putting together a really good team and we have the chance to do something special. I played against Maryland a few years ago and I remember XFINITY was packed and rocking. I love playing in big arenas and in front of big crowds and can’t wait to play for Terp Nation this time around.”
Head coach Mark Turgeon: “Fatts reminds me of a lot of our recent point guards with his ability to make plays for others, score the ball and defend at a high level. He is the perfect guard to come in and play with the guys we have coming back to help us be an elite team. With so many facets to his game, he is as well-rounded at his position as any player out there. He’ll bring veteran leadership and already has familiarity with Donta Scott, who he was teammates with in high school. We look forward to having Fatts on campus and in our program.”
Russell’s Accolades:
- Naismith & Cousy Award Watch Lists
- 2019-20 Atlantic 10 First Team All-Conference
- 2019-20 Atlantic 10 All-Defensive Team
- 2019-20 USBWA District I Player of the Year
- 2019-20 NABC District 4 First Team
- 2x Atlantic 10 Player of the Week
More on Russell: Averaged 13.4 points and 3.5 assists over four-year career, appearing in 119 games (83 starts) … has scored 1,594 career points … Rhode Island’s all-time steals leader (213) … as a senior, averaged 14.7 points, 4.5 assists and career-high 4.5 rebounds … in breakout junior season, averaged 18.8 points, 4.6 assists and 3.4 rebounds, while ranking second in the country with 2.9 steals … averaged 14.2 points as a sophomore and 7.0 as a freshman … at Imhotep Charter, finished as the school’s all-time leader in points, assists and steals while leading the Panthers to the PIAA 4A State Championship with teammate, Donta Scott.
8QUDUS WAHAB
Forward
6-11 // 235
Lagos, Nigeria
Flint Hill // Georgetown
Qudus Wahab: “I chose Maryland because I want to win and take my game to the next level above anything else. I believe I can achieve both of those goals under Coach Turgeon and with my new teammates. I’m looking forward to playing in College Park, being on campus and winning games at XFINITY Center.”
Head coach Mark Turgeon: “Qudus is exactly what we were looking for in a veteran and skilled post player. He’s a guy that has proven to be a proficient scorer, rebounder and shot blocker at this level, who will fit in with our style of play. We’ve had great success with some of our past big men and we feel Qudus has a chance to thrive in our system. He’s a great individual who really wanted to be a Terp and we are excited to have him.”
Before Maryland: Appeared in 58 career games (32 starts) for the Hoyas, averaging 8.7 points and 6.1 rebounds … exploded as a sophomore in 2020-21, starting 25-of-26 games and averaging 12.7 points (.591 FG), 8.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks …named to Big East All-Tournament team after averaging 15.4 points en route to the tournament title … reached double-figures in 12 of final 14 games to close the season … reached double-figures five times as a freshman … prior to Georgetown, he averaged a double-double and led Flint Hill to back-to-back Mid-Atlantic Athletic Conference regular season titles and the 2019 MAC Tournament championship.
