Maryland men’s basketball sophomore forward Ricky Lindo Jr. has entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal, the team announced Monday.

Lindo, a former three-star recruit, played in 29 games and made two starts this past season as Maryland won a share of the Big Ten regular-season title for the first time since joining the conference in 2014. He averaged 1.7 points and 1.9 rebounds in 7.1 minutes while shooting 19-for-29 (.655) from the field.

“I can’t thank Ricky enough for his commitment over the past two seasons and for helping our team win the Big Ten Championship this year,” coach Mark Turgeon said in a joint statement. “Ricky was a great teammate and did everything I ever asked of him. He’s a fantastic person and I wish him and his family all the best moving forward.”

Lindo played in all 34 games as a reserve in 2018-19, averaging 3.5 rebounds and 12.3 minutes.

“I want to thank the University of Maryland and Coach Turgeon for everything over the last two years,” Lindo said. “I had a chance to be a part of some amazing moments that I will never forget, including winning a conference title. I’m appreciative of my coaches and teammates for all their support. After much discussion with my family, I have decided it is best to seek a new opportunity as I continue my college career.”

The NCAA transfer portal was introduced in the fall of 2018 to allow players to make it known of their intention to transfer and for college coaches to see which players might be available to sign national letters of intent.

Lindo’s departure leaves Maryland thin in the frontcourt, especially if sophomore Jalen Smith decides to leave early and enter the NBA draft. Chol Marial, Joshua Tomaic and Donta Scott will return, but only Scott received significant minutes in 2019-20, averaging 5.9 points and 3.6 rebounds.

Guard Anthony Cowan Jr. was the lone senior on scholarship this past season. Turgeon currently has two scholarship players expected to come to his program in guards Aquan Smart and Marcus Dockery.

Mitchells to Rhode Island

Freshman twins Makhel and Makhi Mitchell, who left the team in December, have committed to play at Rhode Island, both announced Monday.

The Terps and the 6-foot-10 power forwards from Washington announced in a joint statement Dec. 27 that the Mitchells were putting their names into the NCAA transfer portal and were no longer a part of the team.

Maryland, which went on to win a share of the Big Ten regular-season title, had lost two straight games to Penn State and Seton Hall before the move.

“Ultimately, I feel that it’s the best thing for them and it’s the best thing for our program,” Turgeon said in December. “You get to know people and they’re part of your team, you just wish them the best moving forward. Just feel it was the best decision on that. I’ll leave it at that.”

Makhi Mitchell played in 12 games, starting five. He averaged 9.2 minutes and 3.0 points and 3.3 rebounds. Makhel Mitchell played in 10 games, all as a reserve. He averaged 6.7 minutes and 1.0 points and 2.3 rebounds. Both were recruited by former Maryland assistant Kevin Broadus, now the coach at Morgan State.

Rhode Island finished 21-9 and 13-5 in the Atlantic 10 this past season, its second under coach David Cox.

“Big decision and it’s been made,” Makhi wrote on Instagram on Monday.