COLLEGE PARK — The Maryland Terrapins had some special guests make it to campus for Sunday’s senior day game against the Michigan Wolverines.
Former Maryland basketball stars Bruno Fernando and Kevin Huerter, who both play for the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, and retired NFL wide receiver Torrey Smith all came to College Park for Maryland’s final regular-season game of 2020.
Huerter said the visit was “in the works for a while.” He and Fernando were able to make the trip between the Hawks’ games Saturday and Monday because of the Maryland game’s noon tip-off.
“We’re just trying to bring energy into the building, honestly,” Huerter said. “And wanted to get back here and see Senior Day, especially (because) I came in with Anthony (Cowan).”
They wouldn’t divulge what they told the team before the game, other than Fernando saying they would “hype them up.”
Huerter and Fernando each played two seasons for Maryland, Huerter from 2016-2018 and Fernando from 2017-2019. Both entered the NBA draft after their sophomore campaigns and became first-round picks by Atlanta in back-to-back drafts.
Fernando said it was “fun” to play for Maryland coach Mark Turgeon and credited him for building the program’s culture.
“I FaceTime Coach Turgeon still,” Fernando said. “Like a lot of times after games, I’ll FaceTime him and I’ll play with him. I’ll tell him, ’Man, you look younger and younger ’cause you keep winning.’”
Later, the pair took courtside seats and fired up the crowd:
THEY ARE BACK ‼️@BrunoFernandoMV and @KevinHuerter have arrived! pic.twitter.com/Oi6HBByPc1
— Maryland Basketball (@TerrapinHoops) March 8, 2020
Smith said he’s been able to watch more Maryland basketball games this year after retiring from the NFL.
“I’m looking forward to see, hopefully they’ll seal the deal today, but also just watch their journey and see how it all unfolds in the end,” Smith said. “I love what Coach Turgeon’s doing. I love the coach that they have. I love the belief they have in each other.”
Smith said he was asked to speak with the team a few weeks prior on the topic of social media use.
The former Terrapin retired before the 2019 season, after an eight-year career with the Ravens, 49ers, Eagles and Panthers that included Super Bowl victories in 2013 with Baltimore and 2018 with Philadelphia.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
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