Maryland forward Pharrel Payne was stretchered off the court Saturday after suffering a horrific injury during the second half of the Terrapins’ 89–82 win over Marquette.
The senior transfer screamed in pain after an awkward landing following a dunk, in what witnesses described as one of the most disturbing injuries seen on a college basketball court.
With just over 12 minutes remaining in the second half at Fiserv Forum, Payne drove to the rim and threw down a powerful two-handed dunk. As he released the rim, he landed awkwardly, his body crumpling into a splits position after stepping on the foot of Marquette’s Joshua Clark, who had tried to move out of the way. Payne immediately grabbed his right hip and yelled in agony, prompting medical staff to rush onto the court.
Here is a look at how Maryland’s star center Pharrel Payne was injured.
Brutal. pic.twitter.com/GU3tNuZGXw
— College Basketball Content (@CBBcontent) November 15, 2025
Maryland head coach Buzz Williams, visibly emotional, watched as Payne was immobilized and stretchered off the floor.
“I’ve never seen him hurt, and the angle that I saw, it did not appear good,” Williams told reporters after the game.
He added that Payne had been taken to a local hospital and that the team was awaiting further medical evaluation.
“We don’t know anything,” Williams said. “We just prayed for him.”
The injury halted play for several minutes and stunned the crowd, many of whom stood in silence as Payne was carried off. Despite the emotional blow, Maryland rallied from a five-point deficit after Payne’s exit, with its backcourt leading a comeback that included seven lead changes. The win marked Williams’ first return to Marquette since coaching there from 2008 to 2014.
Payne had been a standout performer for the Terrapins in their first three games of the season, averaging 20 points per contest. He scored 13 points in 17 minutes before the injury on Saturday. His absence will be a significant loss for Maryland, which now faces uncertainty regarding his recovery timeline.
