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Maryland Basketball: Brenda Frese loses key players

By Wesley Brown

Mar 4, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach Brenda Frese reacts from the bench in the first half during the women's Big Ten Conference Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach Brenda Frese reacts from the bench in the first half during the women's Big Ten Conference Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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After one of the best regular seasons at Maryland, Brenda Frese is experiencing a few big exits early this offseason.

Frese has seen the likes of Kiah Gillespie, Destiny Slocum, and Jenna Staiti announce their intent to transfer out of the program.

Slocum was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and future face of the program for the Lady Terps. She has been “homesick”, according to the Idaho Statesman.

Slocum bounced around during her recruitment, but ultimately ended up at Maryland. After this decision, she says she is open to all options west of the Mississippi River.

Her family has always a major part of her support and they simply could not fly cross-country to see her enough.

Gillespie, who played the last two seasons in College Park, also decided to move on. After playing for a bulk of the nonconference slate as a freshman, Gillespie noticed a significant drop in playing time to end that year and this entire season, which prompted her exit.

Finally, Staiti says family issues are driving her to return closer to Georgia as she continues her career. She was deep on the bench behind senior paint leader Brionna Jones, but still saw some playing time.

Her size was a major advantage for Frese, who is hoping to have a replacement for Jones as she graduates this spring.

Frese will have to make due with a very young nucleus to rebuild this program to the winning ways they played to this past season. Maryland has no commitments for the class of 2017 according to ESPNW, but already have two Top 25 commits in the class of 2018.

Next: Terps still in the mix for Jemarl Baker

Any late signees will be of major help to Frese and Maryland in the wake of these departures.