Maryland men’s basketball has its first commitment in the class of 2027, and it’s one of the highest-ranked prospects in the country.
On Friday afternoon, Texas native and Dynamic Prep (TX) guard Payton Jones announced his commitment to Maryland men’s basketball, a significant early win for head coach Buzz Williams in his home territory.
Jones, the No. 37 overall prospect in the country according to 247Sports, chose the Terps over Cincinnati, Clemson and Oklahoma State.
The guard stands at 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds and is ranked as the 10th-best guard in the class of 2027.
Maryland first extended its offer to Jones in June 2025 — he was one of Williams’ first official targets for the class of 2027. The guard took his official visit to Maryland on Sept. 4 of this year and announced the finalization of his decision shortly after.
When asked following his commitment about why he chose the Terps, Jones spoke positively about the team’s culture and the hospitality he was shown.
“I feel like I can thrive in his playstyle, being a two-way guard, being a great defender, getting buckets of course and making my team better,” he said.
