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Maryland Basketball: NBA Draft Combine primer

By Chris Bengel

Dec 19, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins Robert Carter and Jake Layman and Melo Trimble and Rasheed Sulaimon (left to right) huddle before a free throw against the Princeton Tigers at Royal Farms Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins Robert Carter and Jake Layman and Melo Trimble and Rasheed Sulaimon (left to right) huddle before a free throw against the Princeton Tigers at Royal Farms Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 24, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Maryland Terrapins guard Melo Trimble (2) handles the ball against Kansas Jayhawks guard Frank Mason III (0) during the first half in a semifinal game in the South regional of the NCAA Tournament at KFC YUM!. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Maryland Terrapins guard Melo Trimble (2) handles the ball against Kansas Jayhawks guard Frank Mason III (0) during the first half in a semifinal game in the South regional of the NCAA Tournament at KFC YUM!. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Melo Trimble

Trimble is arguably the most intriguing Maryland prospects heading into the Combine. The sophomore guard put together two extremely productive seasons in College Park, but still has plenty to prove if he wants to be a first round pick.

After a stellar freshman campaign, Trimble’s numbers took a dip in several offensive categories. The former Bishop O’Connell (Va.) star averaged 14.8 points (down from 16.2), 4.9 assists (up from 3.0), and 3.6 rebounds (down from 3.9) during his sophomore season. One of the biggest issues fro Trimble was his struggles throughout the majority of Big Ten play. Some speculated that a hamstring injury hampered Trimble much more than he or coach Mark Turgeon let on. However, he went through a stretch of a six games where he made just 14-of-60 shots (27.2 percent). He did rebound to finish off the season on a reflectively strong note as he made 37.4 percent of his shots off the final seven games (including the NCAA Tournament).

In order to impress NBA scouts, Trimble is definitely going to have to show that he’s capable of being a better shooter. While he’s not going to come in right away and be a star guard, he still needs to make perimeter shots at a higher rate. Trimble made a very strong 41.2 percent of his three-point field goals as a freshman, but only connected on 31.4 percent as a sophomore. Obviously, every NBA point guard doesn’t shoot the basketball at a 40 percent clip from outside. However, his percentage can’t be like what it was his sophomore campaign.

DraftExpress currently projects Trimble to go at No. 38 to the Milwaukee Bucks. A situation where he has an opportunity to learn behind a veteran floor general is definitely ideal. With a strong performance at the Combine, he could sneak into the first round. If he feels that it’s too risky to stay in the draft pool, Trimble has the option to return to Maryland for another season.

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