South Bend Washington grad Mila Reynolds leaving Maryland, sister Amiyah released from NLI

Mila Reynolds says she still has plenty to give to a college basketball program.

It just will not be at Maryland.

The former South Bend Washington superstar announced via Twitter Wednesday morning that she has entered the transfer portal.

Reynolds, a 6-3 guard/forward, just finished her freshman season with the Terrapins. Maryland closed out a 28-7 campaign with an 86-75 loss to No. 1 and defending national champion South Carolina Monday night in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.

"I just don't think that Maryland is the best fit for me anymore," Reynolds said in a phone interview Wednesday afternoon. "I just want to go contribute to a team that will help me develop. I want a chance to grow and to become a better player.

"It was not an easy decision after spending a year here. My parents (Steve and Marcy) helped me weigh the pros and the cons and that made it easier with their support."

Reynolds played in 22 games this season, logging a total of 114 minutes. She averaged 1.0 ppg. and 0.9 rpg. She had 23 points, 19 rebounds, four assists and two steals. She played a season high 12 minutes versus Pittsburgh and scored a season high five points versus Penn State.

Reynolds did not play in the season ending loss to the Gamecocks. She played two minutes last Saturday in a 76-59 win over Notre Dame in the Sweet 16. She also played three minutes when Maryland topped the Irish 74-72 back on Dec. 1 in South Bend.

More: Former South Bend Washington star Mila Reynolds set for hoops homecoming vs. Notre Dame

Reynolds averaged 21.5 points and 8.1 rebounds pe game her senior season in leading Washington to a 28-3 mark and the Class 3A state title in 2022. While playing for her father/coach Steve and with her younger sisters Amiyah and Kira, Reynolds was an Indiana All-Star and finished third in the Miss Basketball voting. She scored 2,099 career points and had 990 career rebounds. Reynolds had 53 double-doubles at Washington and scored a single game school record 48 points her junior season versus Elkhart.

"I probably started thinking about this (transferring) after the Big 10 tournament," Reynolds said. "It just got harder and harder for me as the season went on. It was tough and there was a lot of adversity, but it made me stronger as a person."

Reynolds decision has a domino effect on the Terps. Sister Amiyah, the star point guard for Washington this past season, had committed to join Mila in College Park. She also announced Wednesday that she has been released from her national letter of intent to play for Maryland in 2023-24.

"Amiyah has requested to be released from her NLI from Maryland and will be considering all her options and reopening her college recruitment," said Steve Reynolds, her father and coach when reached Wednesday.

Amiyah Reynolds helped lead the Panthers to a No. 1 ranking in Class 4A this past season before being injured in the regular season finale. The 6-0 star underwent season ending foot surgery in February and her team eventually saw its undefeated season end with a loss in the Class 4A semistate semifinals to Lake Central. The Panthers finished 27-1 and ranked No. 10 nationally by ESPN.

"Right now, as a family, we're trying to do our due diligence and find the right spot for Mila," said Steve Reynolds. "Will both of them now go to the same college, not necessarily. It's about finding the right fit for both of them as we move forward."

"There is no timetable right now for Amiyah to return to the court. With her type of injury, you are normally talking a year to get back and she will be redshirting next season. But all is going good with her recovery from the surgery. She is checking all the boxes in regard to that, and all is good."

Amiyah, despite being injured, was named as an Indiana All-Star earlier this month. She was third in the Miss Basketball voting, finishing behind teammate Rashunda Jones and Miss Basketball Laila Hull of Zionsville. Jones will play at Purdue and Hull at North Carolina.

Mila says she has not discussed plans yet with her sister.

"Right now, I don't have a timetable to make my decision as to what's next for me," said Mila. "I'm just trying to process everything and get everything rolling. I have not really discussed the future with Amiyah yet. I do think that there is a chance we could play together in college."

Mila says her next stop will be getting the same type of player she's always been.

"I still have the same determination for wanting to play the game and help a team win a national championship," said Mila. "I still have a lot in me as far as skills to showcase.

"I'm still offering a team the same skills I've always had and now with even more knowledge and a better understanding of the college game after a season in it."

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: South Bend's Mila Reynolds to transfer from Maryland, sister Amiyah released from NLI