Maryland Basketball: Should I Stay or Should I Go?
The Maryland basketball team will certainly look different next season. The real question becomes: to what extent? Potentially, the Terrapins could lose all five starters from a season ago. Will Robert Carter, Diamond Stone, and Melo Trimble declare for the NBA Draft or return to school?
However, it is certain that Jake Layman and Rasheed Sulaimon’s days playing under coach Mark Turgeon are over. Layman was the only four-year senior for Turgeon and is projected to get drafted and play at the next level. According to DraftExpress, Layman is currently projected as the 45th overall pick. Sulaimon is projected to be undrafted, but could be presented an opportunity to play in the NBA Summer League if a team chooses to invite him.
This brings us to the three underclassmen starters in Carter, Stone, and Trimble. All three possess unique skill sets that will allow them to contribute at the next level. However, should they pursue the next level now, or return to College Park and gain maturity, strength, and improve upon their weaknesses before making said jump?
Diamond Stone
First, let’s look at Stone, who is the player most likely to pursue the NBA next year in my opinion. According to DraftExpress, Diamond Stone is projected as the 23rd overall pick in the draft. Earlier in the season, some mock draft boards tabbed Stone as a lottery pick. However, we’ve seen his draft stock dip slightly as Maryland’s season progressed. Stone could use another year of structured college basketball before taking his talents to the NBA.
At times during the 2015-16 season, Stone displayed immaturity. Maryland fans witnessed the immaturity and frustration at points during his freshman campaign. For example, when Stone was open on the block and the guards would not feed him the ball, he would throw his arms up in disgust. Instead of moving past that possession, Stone would let not touching the ball that trip down the court affect him on the defensive end by not hustling back and focusing.
Another example of Stone’s immaturity was evident in the second game against Wisconsin. Stone shoved a Wisconsin player’s head into the ground after a scuffle to gather a rebound. He ultimately hurt himself and more importantly hurt his team as he was assessed a one game suspension.
The game Stone missed saw Maryland suffer its most embarrassing defeat in quite some time, falling to an abysmal Minnesota team. At the next level, if you act immature, it could potentially cost you a chance with an organization. NBA teams have many guys to choose from, so if you are an issue or not liked by teammates, organizations will move past guys who are selfish and immature to find others who fit in better.
People do tend to forget that Stone is only 19 years old. Another year of school for Stone could allow him to mature, develop more muscle under a college’s strength and conditioning program, and improve his defense for basketball in the NBA against better-quality opponents.
Should I stay or should I go? Stay one more year.
Will they stay or go? Stone will more than likely declare for the draft, but not hire an agent which will allow him to participate in workouts prior to the draft but still decide to come back to school should he not like what he hears about where the experts think he would be drafted.
Melo Trimble
In my opinion, the next most likely to declare is Trimble. According to DraftExpress, Trimble is projected to be drafted 34th overall as an early second round pick. Melo could use another year of college basketball under his belt because many felt as though he experienced a “sophomore slump” compared to his freshman campaign.
Looking at the numbers from Trimble’s freshman to sophomore year not much changed drastically besides his free throw attempts (down from 240 to 182) and three-point percentage (down from 41 percent to 32). He shot 86 percent at the charity stripe both seasons and only averaged roughly two points less per game this past season (14.8), compared to his freshman year (16.2).
During the 2015-16 season, we witnessed Trimble develop into more of a true point guard. He elevated his total assists on the season (106 to 176) and average assists-per-game (3 to 4.9). Trimble was also more unselfish this season because of the immense talent around him was far superior this past year than that of his freshman year.
He looked to be more of a distributor off the pick-and-roll with Stone and displayed excellent court vision by always seeming to thread the needle and find ways to squeeze passes by defenders. Using the pick-and-roll will be an asset Trimble will have to use in order to make an impact at running an NBA offense.
Should I stay or should I go? Stay one more year
Will they stay or go? I honestly believe Trimble will decide to come back to College Park for one more year. Jared Nickens, Trimble, and Dion Wiley all got matching tattoos their freshman year that say “M.B.K.” (Stands for My Brother’s Keeper). I believe these tattoos do not lie and these brothers will keep their years of playing together alive as Trimble will return for his junior campaign and Wiley will return from injury.
Robert Carter
Lastly, I believe the least likely to leave Maryland for the NBA is Carter. According to DraftExpress, Carter would be drafted 51st overall, which makes him a questionable late second round pick as there are only 60 draft picks total in the NBA Draft. Carter transferred to Maryland two years ago from Georgia Tech.
In his year he was forced to sit out for the Terps under the NCAA transfer rule, Carter worked hard in the weight room. He slimmed his shape by dropping weight and adding muscle. Maryland was able to finally see what Carter possessed this year as he showed off his touch around the rim with post hooks, spin moves, as well as an outside shooting touch if left open.
Carter at times looked lost on defense and didn’t rebound as well as Maryland faithful would have hoped. However, Carter possesses the skill set to be a contributor at the next level. In the NBA, I can see Carter being a prototype stretch four as he stands 6’8 and weighs 247 pounds and can hit the deep shot as well as post up. Another year for Carter would allow him to finish out his collegiate career playing four years total of college ball as well as continuing to improve his defense and shooting to contribute at the next level.
Should I stay or should I go? Stay one more year.
Will they stay or go? I believe Carter will stay for his senior season and try to improve his draft stock from a late second round pick to a potential first round pick.
Next: Maryland Football: Pair of four-star recruits announcing this weekend
Obviously, the likelihood all three of them stay is slim and I am optimistic in saying that all three should and will stay at Maryland for another year. However, it never hurts to stay in school and experience college while you can. If you leave for the NBA too soon, it is too late to go back to college. Just ask Maryland fans how that worked out for Jordan Williams.