Washington Wizards to host Melo Trimble in first pre-draft workout
The Washington Wizards will host six 2017 NBA Draft hopefuls in their first pre-draft workout on Tuesday including former Maryland basketball star Melo Trimble.
The Washington Wizards announced the six NBA Draft hopefuls that will workout for the team on Tuesday including local star and former Maryland basketball standout Melo Trimble.
Melo Trimble is one of five guards set to workout for the Washington Wizards who owns the No. 52 pick of the 2017 NBA draft on June 22. With five guards included in the list of attendees, it’s evident the Wizards top priority in the NBA Draft is to address the backup point guard position.
Trey Burke entered the 2016-17 season as the clear backup to Wizards superstar John Wall after the team acquired the former Michigan star from the Utah Jazz last summer. Burke averaged five points and 1.8 assists this season and is a restricted free agent.
However, with the decline of Burke, the Wizards acquired veteran NBA point guard Brandon Jennings after the New York Knicks released him in February. Jennings delivered much-needed toughness for the Wizards to end the regular season and into the postseason. The 27-year-old is an unrestricted free agent, leaving the Wizards with Tomas Satoranksy as the second-string point guard.
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According to Washington Post’s Candance Parker, Trimble, Iowa State’s Monte Morris, Nevada’s D.J. Fenner, Willam and Mary’s Daniel Dixon, Indiana’s James Blackmon Jr. and the lone forward of the group Pittsburgh’s Jamel Artis will be in attendance for the Washington Wizards’ first pre-draft workout.
Here's the list of the attendees for the #Wizards first pre-draft workout. Washington only has the No. 52 pick pic.twitter.com/74KWHdzQe8
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) May 29, 2017
Less than two weeks ago, InsideMDSports reported that the Wizards are fascinated by the chance of drafting Trimble with the No. 52 pick in June.
Later that day, reports linking the Wizards and Trimble strengthened as CSN Mid-Atlantic’s Chris Miller reported that the Wizards, in fact, met with the Associated Press’ 2017 All-American honorable mention.
Wizards met with Melo Trimble last week at NBA Draft combine. Washington has the 52nd pick in June's draft. #DCFamily
— Chris Miller 🎥🎙🏀 (@CMillsPXP) May 18, 2017
In his three years at the University of Maryland men’s basketball team, Trimble averaged 15.9 points, 3.9 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals. After Trimble’s sophomore slump, the Upper Marlboro, Maryland native bounced back his junior year and averaged a career-high 16.8 points.
| Season | G | MP | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-15 | 35 | 33.5 | 4.3 | 9.7 | .444 | 1.7 | 4.2 | .412 | 5.9 | 6.9 | .863 | 3.9 | 3.0 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 2.5 | 16.2 |
| 2015-16 | 36 | 32.9 | 4.4 | 10.8 | .410 | 1.6 | 5.1 | .314 | 4.4 | 5.1 | .863 | 3.6 | 4.9 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 2.7 | 14.8 |
| 2016-17 | 33 | 32.1 | 5.5 | 12.5 | .436 | 1.8 | 5.5 | .317 | 4.2 | 5.3 | .789 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 3.0 | 16.8 |
Trimble’s best season came during his freshman year when he led the Big Ten Conference in free throws made (207), free throw attempts (240), free throw percentage (.863). In addition, Trimble finished No. 5 in the conference for total points with 568 points and No. 7 in points per game with 16.2 points.