‘Everything hurt’: Inside Pharrel Payne’s injury recovery for Maryland men’s basketball

Pharrel Payne was in a celebratory mood. Maryland men’s basketball’s star big man had just found out he’d been granted a medical redshirt waiver — and with it, a fifth year of eligibility to return to the Terps this fall. So he treated himself to a burger, Cajun fries and a vanilla milkshake from Five Guys. The news was a bright spot amid what Payne called a difficult injury recovery process. Months later, he’s back in coach Buzz Williams’ starting lineup as Maryland’s leading scorer. But Payne’s return to glory tested more than just his body. “Obviously, physically, everything hurt,” Payne said. “But mentally as well, trying to pick yourself up and get yourself back on track is also difficult because as much as I’m hurt … the team doesn’t stop doing what they’re doing.” [‘It’s personal’: Maryland men’s basketball’s comeback quest is rooted in maturation] Payne suffered two injuries last season. The first was against Marquette on Nov. 15, 2025.

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