DETROIT (10/26/2025) -- The University of Detroit Mercy men's basketball team wanted to shore up the post, and when the recruiting process was over, they got the brick wall they were looking for.

Meet junior London Maiden, a 6-8, 250-pound big man who can not only be the bully in the middle, but has developed a sweet touch in his game and has the ability to get up and down the court.

Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Maiden signed with Kent State out of high school and redshirted his freshman year. He then went to junior college, starting at Mars Hill as a freshman and Blinn College as a sophomore, and it was there that he caught the attention of the Titan coaches.

"Coach Monty actually came and flew out to one of my games, which is rare for a head coach to do," said Maiden. "We sat down, talked, and decided to come out here for a visit, and I liked everything Detroit Mercy had to offer. He wanted me here. He said they would get me the ball and have me go to work, but that they would also work on my conditioning, get me in better shape, and improve my game. He had a plan for me."

It was during the recruiting process that he found out what the Titans were all about. Hailing from Cleveland, he had heard of Detroit Mercy but not much more. 

"I knew that it was an up-and-coming school with Coach Monty in the Horizon League, and it had something to prove like myself," said Maiden. "I know a lot of players from the Detroit area, and I know they are hard-working and great people, and my cousin lives here. Obviously, being from Cleveland, it's close to family. That played a huge part in my decision because I have been so far away, and it's really a blessing to be here and just be close to family."

Being at a new school again, Maiden has had to adjust to another coaching staff and teammates. It has been a lot easier throughout the years, as he remembers how tough it was when he was at Kent State.

"I redshirted my first year, but that's totally different when you're a true freshman. I remember, I was nervous, you know, my first college experience, just trying to get a whole bunch of jitters. Fast forward to now, I'm more confident, I have the experience, and I'm just ready to rock and roll and get this done."

At his size, Maiden knows he can be a big presence for the Titans in the Horizon League, but it is not about the program or what the website lists him as; it is about the hard work and the confidence you need to succeed. 

"I try to consider myself one of the best post players in the country, just having that mentality, having that mindset to dominate in the post," said Maiden. "That's what makes my game stand out and what makes me a threat, just having that same mindset every day, knowing that whoever lines up against me on defense, I'm going to punish them in the post."

Maiden, like most of the Titans, has been in the Motor City since the summer, and he knows that all that practice time will pay off this season. 

"There has just been a lot of growth with all the guys, the newcomers, and the veterans. We're a close team, communication has improved, and our condition has improved. We want to be a running team, so that's what we try to do. We have a lot of size and players who can score at any moment. Every game, it could be anybody's night," said Maiden. 

Outside of basketball, Maiden has a plan for life. His love of basketball has given him so much, and he wants to take advantage of every opportunity. 

"I'm a criminal justice major, and when the ball stops bouncing, I want to become a real estate lawyer and own multiple businesses, like a trucking company, a construction company, and just be an entrepreneur in that aspect," added Maiden.