Maryland Basketball: Disappointing 2016 NBA Draft for Former Terps

It was a disappointing night for the former Maryland basketball players as they were drafted a lot later than anticipated.

The 2016 NBA Draft is a night that many will remember for the rest of their lives. Unfortunately for some former Maryland Terrapins, things did not go as planned.

Two former Terps were selected in the second round, while another signed as an undrafted free agent. No one is guaranteed anything after not being selected in the first round, and it makes you wonder about their decision to go pro.

Diamond Stone went 40th overall by the New Orleans Pelicans. He was traded moments later and will play for the Los Angeles Clippers. Once thought to be a lottery pick, Stone went later than anticipated. He told reporters that he would use that as motivation.

“I probably have the biggest chip of the draft. I’m hungry. Every big picked in front of me, it’s just like when I see them, it’s going to be war. I’ve just got to play my hardest every game and show these people why it was a mistake to sleep on me.”

Stone will now get to learn the game from some of the league’s best in Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. What we will never know is how his draft status would have been if he decided to stay for another season. If he came back to College Park and dominated this season, he could have been a lottery pick next year.

The same could be said for Robert Carter. His agent told CSNMid-Atlantic that both the Atlanta Hawks and Denver Nuggets wanted to draft Carter and send him overseas to learn the game. He opted to sign a free agent contract with the Golden State Warriors and take his chances of making the team this summer.

Good luck making that talented team.

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This is the reason both players should have stayed for one more year. Their draft stocked dropped further than their agents told them they would, forcing them out of their amateur status.

The fact that these guys cannot decide to stay in school another year is beyond me. Baseball players are drafted all the time, but choose to stay in college and re-enter the draft. Why are basketball players not given the same rights? They have not played a professional game yet, so they should be allowed back to college ball if they choose to do so.

The other Terp in the draft, Jake Layman, obviously had no choice to leave as a senior. He was selected No. 47 overall by the Orlando Magic, but will be traded to the Portland Trail Blazers for cash and a future draft pick. His all-around game gives him a chance to not only make the team, but stick around in the NBA for a long time.

The difference is Layman’s collegiate eligibility is done. The others could have played one more season and improved their stock. Instead, they are in a battle just to make their respective teams.

It makes you wonder if they regret the decision to go pro. Neither had a spectacular season, but signed with an agent anyways. Both could have came back and been dominant players in college basketball.

Some will argue that it does not matter where you are drafted as long as you make the best of the situation. They have made it to the NBA and have to put the work in to stick around regardless of where they were drafted.

Next: No Terps Selected in First Round of FanSided Mock Draft

It still makes us wonder what could Maryland basketball have looked like if Carter and Stone stuck around for another season. We here at The Baltimore Wire wish all three the best as the pursue their dreams.

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