The Maryland basketball team suffered a big blow on Monday.
The school announced that point guard Melo Trimble has declared for the NBA Draft, but will not hire an agent. On the other hand, Diamond Stone, who already declared for the Draft, has hired an agent and will be leaving College Park.
“Melo will go through the draft process, which will provide him a stronger understanding of where he could potentially be selected,” Maryland coach Mark Turgeon said in the press release. “Melo has worked very hard and we will continue to support and guide him throughout this process.”
In the latest mock draft from DraftExpress, Trimble is projected to go No. 35 while Stone is predicted to go No. 23. At one point during the season, Trimble was projected to be a mid first round pick but when his production started to drop, so did his draft stock.
“I am looking forward to taking advantage of this opportunity and entering my name in the NBA draft,” Trimble said in the release. “I am excited that the new rules allow me the chance to go through this process.”
During the 2015-16 season, the former Bishop O’Connell (Va.) point guard averaged 14.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists. Trimble posted a season high 25 points against Connecticut on Dec. 8 and recorded a double-double, 23 points and 12 assists in a loss to North Carolina.
During the NCAA Tournament, the sophomore point guard averaged 20 points. The former McDonald’s All-American received Second Team All-Big Ten honors.
Stone had an impressive freshman season which is way he is expected to go in the first round of the draft. Stone averaged 12.5 points and 5.4 rebounds. In a game against Penn State on Dec. 30, Stone came off the bench and scored 39 points to go along with 12 rebounds.
The former five-star prospect put up 16 points, 10 rebounds, and eight blocks against Nebraska on Feb. 3. Stone’s production was silenced in the NCAA Tournament as he averaged just 7.6 points.
In the Sweet 16 matchup against Kansas, Stone only netted five points. Stone was named Associated Press Big Ten Newcomer of the Year, and received Third Team All-Big Ten honors as well as an All-Freshman 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.”
With the new rule made by the NBA, Trimble is able to enter his name in the draft and still come back since he didn’t hire an agent. Trimble and Stone will join Robert Carter as players who entered the NBA Draft.
Next: Maryland Football: 2017 class is off to a great start
If Trimble decides to go play in the NBA, the Terps will lose their entire starting lineup since Jake Layman and Rasheed Sulaimon are graduating.