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Maryland Basketball: Diamond Stone, Melo Trimble to Enter 2016 NBA Draft

By Joe Serpico

Feb 3, 2016; Lincoln, NE, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach Mark Turgeon talks with guard Melo Trimble (2) and center Diamond Stone (33) during a break against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Maryland defeated Nebraska 70-65. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 3, 2016; Lincoln, NE, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach Mark Turgeon talks with guard Melo Trimble (2) and center Diamond Stone (33) during a break against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Maryland defeated Nebraska 70-65. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Maryland basketball could be without its entire starting five next season as Diamond Stone and Melo Trimble will declare for the 2016 NBA Draft.

News that many Maryland Terrapins fans have waited for has finally come out. The Terps announced today that the top-two players from last season, Diamond Stone and Melo Trimble, will enter the NBA Draft.

Stone will hire an agent which will officially end his eligibility to play in the NCAA. Trimble will not seek representation at this time, meaning he could still return to Maryland after testing out the draft process.

Maryland Head Coach Mark Turgeon is facing the likelihood of losing all five starters from last season if Melo does go pro. Robert Carter Jr. declared for the draft on Thursday, and Rasheed Sulaimon and Jake Layman just finished their senior seasons.

Stone averaged 12.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game in his only season in College Park. The highly recruited center helped the Terps to get back to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2003. Many knew that Stone was likely a one-and-done at Maryland, so it comes as no surprise that he will hire an agent. There was no reason for Stone to stay in college for another season.

“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 in a school statement. “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.”

The draft process is nothing new to Trimble as he was in the same situation last season before deciding to stick around for one more season at Maryland. Many expected better from the 6-foot-3 point guard in his sophomore season, but he still finished with team highs in points (14.8) and assists (5.0) despite playing injured for much of the season.

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“Melo will go through the draft process, which will provide him a stronger understanding of where he could potentially be selected,” Turgeon said in the release. “Melo has worked very hard and we will continue to support and guide him throughout this process.”

The NBA Scouting Combine is May 11-15, and we should know whether Trimble will stay or go shortly after. He has until May 25 to make a decision on whether to enter the NBA or return to the Terps for his junior season.

Stone is currently projected to be a first-round choice, while Trimble is expected to go in the second round. First-round picks get guaranteed contracts, while second-round choices have a struggle to make it in the NBA.

DraftExpress has Stone at No. 23, Trimble at No. 35 and Carter No. 51. June 23 is the date for the NBA Draft.

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