From rebuild to recruiting battleground—Coach Bucky McMillan has officially entered the high school recruiting chat, and his first major swing could send shockwaves through college basketball.
In a dramatic twist to an already action-packed offseason, Texas A&M head coach Bucky McMillan is now vying for the commitment of four-star wing Trent Perry, a rising superstar from national powerhouse Link Academy. The Aggies aren’t alone in this high-stakes pursuit. Lurking in the shadows? None other than Buzz Williams, now reinventing himself at Maryland, and determined to steal Perry out from under the program he once led.
And just like that, the Trent Perry sweepstakes has become a full-on turf war—McMillan’s new vision for the Aggies vs. Williams’ old legacy with a Terrapin twist.
Who is Trent Perry? A Wing with NBA Swagger
Standing at 6’5″ with a long, fluid frame, Perry is more than just another elite high school recruit—he’s a game-changer with positional versatility, elite court awareness, and a killer instinct in crunch time.
Hailing from Link Academy, one of the premier basketball institutions in the country, Perry helped orchestrate a dominant 23-8 campaign and hoisted the Nike EYBL Scholastic championship trophy, a feat that instantly put him on the national radar.
But it wasn’t just team success that made scouts take notice—it was how he did it. Perry’s skillset is a tantalizing blend of:
- Explosive first step and downhill slashing ability
- Refined shooting touch from mid-range and deep
- Instinctual defender with quick hands and lateral burst
- On-court IQ and passing vision beyond his years
He’s been described as a “Swiss Army Knife” on the wing—able to shift between a ball-handling creator and a lockdown perimeter defender, depending on his team’s needs.
Why Bucky McMillan is Going All In
When Coach McMillan arrived in Aggieland, he inherited a roster that had been gutted—stripped down to the studs by the transfer portal and graduation departures. Most would’ve panicked. Bucky? He got to work.
Through sheer force of charisma, savvy scouting, and a “build, don’t beg” philosophy, McMillan has constructed a team brimming with upside. But now, he’s making his next move: proving that Texas A&M can be more than a portal pit stop—it can be a destination for elite high school talent.
McMillan cut his teeth at Samford, a program where blue-chip transfers weren’t knocking on the door. He made a name for himself developing overlooked high schoolers, turning them into Division I forces. That skill—the ability to connect, cultivate, and elevate young players—is now translating to a much larger stage.
Now he’s bringing that magic to College Station.
Buzz vs. Bucky: An Unlikely Rivalry is Brewing
The most cinematic twist in all of this? One of Perry’s top suitors is Buzz Williams, the very man McMillan replaced.
Buzz, now at Maryland, initially offered Perry while at Texas A&M. But rather than let the relationship dissolve, McMillan doubled down—continuing to recruit Perry while also crafting a compelling vision for A&M’s future.
It’s more than just a recruitment. It’s a symbolic battle:
- Buzz, representing the old guard, hoping to lure Perry to the reloaded Terrapins.
- Bucky, the bold newcomer, aiming to write the next chapter in Aggie basketball history—with Perry as its headliner.
Other contenders like Penn State, Oklahoma State, TCU, and even Sacramento State are in the mix, but let’s be real—this is shaping up to be a Texas A&M vs. Maryland showdown with serious narrative juice.
Why Perry Could Be the Crown Jewel of “Bucky Ball”
If Perry commits to Texas A&M, he’ll step into a system designed to unleash his full potential.
“Bucky Ball,” as McMillan’s high-octane, perimeter-heavy, ball-sharing offense has been nicknamed, is tailor-made for wings with Perry’s skill set. With Pop Isaacs and Jacari Lane in the backcourt and versatile wings like Rylan Griffen and Mackenzie Mgbako spreading the floor, Perry could thrive as both a playmaker and finisher.
And let’s not forget: Link Academy isn’t just some prep school—it’s basketball royalty. The same program that features Andre Iguodala II (yes, that Iguodala) and sends multiple players to elite D-I schools every year.
What’s Next: The Recruiting Watch Begins
Perry’s official visit to College Station is locked in. Maryland’s is too. The race is on.
For Texas A&M, this is more than just a shot at a four-star wing—it’s a statement. A declaration that Bucky McMillan isn’t just patching holes in the program—he’s building an empire.
If the Aggies land Trent Perry, it could be the first domino to fall in what might become one of the most talked-about recruiting classes in Texas A&M basketball history.
So buckle up, 12th Man—Perry’s decision could be a program-defining moment.
Decision Date Coming Soon
Recruitment Intensity: Off the Charts
Legacy vs. Innovation
Let the battle for Trent Perry begin.