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Maryland adds two big-name transfers in Benzan, Bibby

By Ben Rosof

VICTORIA , BC - NOVEMBER 30: Chloe Bibby #55 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs dribbles the ball against the Stanford Cardinal during the Greater Victoria Invitational at the Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities (CARSA) on November 30, 2019 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images)
VICTORIA , BC - NOVEMBER 30: Chloe Bibby #55 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs dribbles the ball against the Stanford Cardinal during the Greater Victoria Invitational at the Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities (CARSA) on November 30, 2019 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images) /
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Two transfers sign with the Terps to help alleviate key losses.

The Maryland women’s basketball team announced the signing of Katie Benzan, a graduate transfer from Harvard, and Chloe Bibby, a transfer from Mississippi State, on Wednesday.

Benzan, a 5-6 guard, played three years for the Crimson before sitting out the 2019-20 season. She started 87 of the 89 games she played, averaged 13.7 points per game and shot 39.5% from behind the arc during her time at Harvard. She set both school and Ivy League records by converting on 287 career three-pointers. Benzan also led the team in assists all three seasons.

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“We are thrilled to welcome Katie and her family into our Maryland family,” said Maryland head coach Brenda Frese in a release. “Katie is a proven winner and possesses all the leadership qualities you would want on your team. She will bring a tremendous amount of experience and maturity to our team and will be able to play immediately as a graduate transfer. She is extremely versatile in her skill set with her ability to knock down an open three and she can utilize her basketball IQ to make a play for her teammates, can rebound and get to the free throw line. She will be an incredible addition to our team.”

Benzan had originally intended to continue her NCAA eligibility as a graduate transfer at Texas, which had recruited her under previous head coach Karen Aston. However, Benzan’s change in heart comes several weeks after the Longhorns appointed Vic Schaefer as their new coach. She will have immediate eligibility at Maryland.

“I chose Maryland because of the program’s commitment to excellence on and off the court,” said Benzan. “I was struck by how nice everyone was, from Coach Frese and the staff to each and every girl on the team. I feel so blessed to have this opportunity.”

Chloe Bibby, one of the higher-profile players in the country to seek a change, departs Mississippi State following the news of Schaefer’s hiring at Texas. The 6-1 Australian forward played three seasons in Starkville with career averages of 6.9 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. Her sophomore season was hampered by a torn ACL that she sustained 18 games into the season but rebounded to play 33 games in 2019-20.

“I’m so excited to begin this new adventure at the University of Maryland,” said Bibby in a release. “With the passion Coach B and her staff have for their players, fans and the game, I feel truly blessed to have this opportunity to be a part of such a great and competitive program.”

Bibby was a freshman on the 2017-18 Bulldogs team that made its second-consecutive appearance in the NCAA Championship game. In her three years with the program, Mississippi State went a combined 97-11.

“Chloe is another proven winner that will bring a ton of intangibles to our program,” Frese said in a release. “Her experience in the SEC and internationally will be invaluable to our young team.  At 6-1, Chloe is a very versatile player that can play inside and out. She can shoot the three and will be another strong rebounder for us. Hailing all the way from Australia we are thrilled to welcome Chloe and her family into our Maryland family. The future is so bright.”

Bibby’s eligibility is unclear for the 2020-21 season, as she must obtain a waiver from the NCAA.

In addition to Benzan and Bibby, the Terps welcome Angel Reese — the No. 2 overall recruit in the class of 2020 — to College Park next year. The additions will help offset the losses of Shakira Austin and Olivia Owens, both of whom previously announced their intentions to transfer from the program, as well as the graduation of Kaila Charles and Stephanie Jones.

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