COLLEGE PARK, Md. - University of Maryland sophomore guard Melo Trimble will enter his name in the NBA Draft, but will not hire an agent, while freshman center Diamond Stone will declare for the NBA Draft with plans to hire an agent.
Trimble, a two-time All-Big Ten selection and an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American in 2016, led the Terps in scoring (14.8 ppg), assists (4.9 apg), free throw percentage (.868) and steals (44) during his sophomore season. The guard increased his assist total by 70 from his freshman campaign (176) and was also tabbed to the national ballot for the Wooden Award in his second season.
“I am looking forward to taking advantage of this opportunity and entering my name in the NBA draft,” Trimble said. “I am excited that the new rules allow me the chance to go through this process.”
The Terps were a stellar 55-16 during Trimble’s time in College Park and lost a mere two games in the friendly confines of XFINITY Center the past two seasons.
“Melo will go through the draft process, which will provide him a stronger understanding of where he could potentially be selected,” Maryland head coach Mark Turgeon said. “Melo has worked very hard and we will continue to support and guide him throughout this process.”
A native of Upper Marlboro, Md., Trimble averaged 15.5 points per game over his two-year collegiate career and is only the second player in Terrapin history to record 500 or more points in each of his first two seasons, joining former Naismith Player of the Year Joe Smith.
Stone was second on the team in scoring as a freshman in 2015-16, averaging 12.5 points per game. He was named Associated Press Big Ten Newcomer of the Year and was tabbed a Big Ten Third Team selection.
"I want to thank the University of Maryland and Coach Turgeon for an unbelievable experience this past year,” Stone said. "Coach Turgeon really pushed me to get better each and every day. My family and I spent a great deal of time discussing my future and we felt this was the best decision as I pursue my dream of playing professional basketball. I want to also thank all of the Terp fans and the students on campus who have been very supportive since the day I arrived to College Park. It means a great deal to me. I’ll always be a Terp for Life.”
The Milwaukee, Wisc., native established the Maryland freshman record and all-time mark at XFINITY Center with 39 points versus Penn State on Dec. 30, 2015 and also established Maryland single-game records for free throws made (19) and attempted (25).
“When we first met with Diamond and his family, one of our goals was to help him achieve his dream of playing in the NBA,” Turgeon said. “Diamond has always been a very skilled and talented offensive player, but he worked hard in other facets of his game this past year. He has vastly improved his strength and conditioning and has made strides defensively. This will be beneficial as Diamond pursues a career in professional basketball. We are happy for Diamond and wish both him and his family the very best.”
In 2016, Trimble and Stone helped guide the Terps to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in 13 seasons as Maryland racked up 27 wins for only the fourth time in program history.
Trimble, a two-time All-Big Ten selection and an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American in 2016, led the Terps in scoring (14.8 ppg), assists (4.9 apg), free throw percentage (.868) and steals (44) during his sophomore season. The guard increased his assist total by 70 from his freshman campaign (176) and was also tabbed to the national ballot for the Wooden Award in his second season.
“I am looking forward to taking advantage of this opportunity and entering my name in the NBA draft,” Trimble said. “I am excited that the new rules allow me the chance to go through this process.”
The Terps were a stellar 55-16 during Trimble’s time in College Park and lost a mere two games in the friendly confines of XFINITY Center the past two seasons.
“Melo will go through the draft process, which will provide him a stronger understanding of where he could potentially be selected,” Maryland head coach Mark Turgeon said. “Melo has worked very hard and we will continue to support and guide him throughout this process.”
A native of Upper Marlboro, Md., Trimble averaged 15.5 points per game over his two-year collegiate career and is only the second player in Terrapin history to record 500 or more points in each of his first two seasons, joining former Naismith Player of the Year Joe Smith.
Stone was second on the team in scoring as a freshman in 2015-16, averaging 12.5 points per game. He was named Associated Press Big Ten Newcomer of the Year and was tabbed a Big Ten Third Team selection.
"I want to thank the University of Maryland and Coach Turgeon for an unbelievable experience this past year,” Stone said. "Coach Turgeon really pushed me to get better each and every day. My family and I spent a great deal of time discussing my future and we felt this was the best decision as I pursue my dream of playing professional basketball. I want to also thank all of the Terp fans and the students on campus who have been very supportive since the day I arrived to College Park. It means a great deal to me. I’ll always be a Terp for Life.”
The Milwaukee, Wisc., native established the Maryland freshman record and all-time mark at XFINITY Center with 39 points versus Penn State on Dec. 30, 2015 and also established Maryland single-game records for free throws made (19) and attempted (25).
“When we first met with Diamond and his family, one of our goals was to help him achieve his dream of playing in the NBA,” Turgeon said. “Diamond has always been a very skilled and talented offensive player, but he worked hard in other facets of his game this past year. He has vastly improved his strength and conditioning and has made strides defensively. This will be beneficial as Diamond pursues a career in professional basketball. We are happy for Diamond and wish both him and his family the very best.”
In 2016, Trimble and Stone helped guide the Terps to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in 13 seasons as Maryland racked up 27 wins for only the fourth time in program history.
