Buzzer beater: withdraws from NBA draft, returns to Maryland

Posted by S On 05/26/2016

Maryland point guard Melo Trimble (2) huddles around teammates Robert Carter Jr. (#4), (left), Rasheed Sulaimon, and (right). (PHOTO CREDIT: Hillel Steinberg)

College Park, MD - The Maryland men's team will have a lot of new faces next season with the departures of four starters. But at least it will have star point guard Melo Trimble back.

With just hours remaining until the underclassmen deadline to withdraw from the NBA Draft, Trimble announced his decision to return to the Terrapins for his junior year last night:

"I am really excited to return for my junior season at Maryland. It's truly special that I get to continue to play in front of my family, friends and our amazing fans. I'm looking forward to working out with my teammates this summer, and I am excited for what we can accomplish. I learned a great deal through this experience, and I am committed to working hard in getting better each day. I'm appreciative of all the support that I have received from Coach [Mark] Turgeon, my family and my teammates throughout this process. I look forward to continuing my education and building upon the success that we have had at Maryland."

Trimble, a 6'3" point guard from Upper Marlboro, Md., exploded onto the national scene as a freshman in 2014, averaging 16.2 points and 3.0 assists per game while guiding the Terps -- along with backcourt mate, -- to a surprisingly robust 28-7 record.

After a wildy successful 2014-2015 season, expectations were sky high entering 2015-2016 for both Trimble and the Terps.

Trimble finished one vote shy of being named a preseason AP All-American while his team--fortified by the additions of Robert Carter Jr., and Diamond Stone--was being touted as the potential number one team in the country as early as April 2015. And that was before Maryland landed former Duke shooting guard Rasheed Sulaimon as a graduate transfer.

Maryland started out this past season on a torrid pace, winning 22 of its first 25 games, but faltered down the stretch run before ultimately falling to number-one seed Kansas in the Sweet 16.

Trimble, a 2015-2016 All-Big Ten second team honoree, finished the season averaging 14.8 points and 4.9 assists per game, but saw his draft stock slip due to struggles with his jump shot and an occasional propensity to turn the ball over.

According to ESPN.com's Jeff Goodman, Trimble would likely have been drafted in the latter portion of the second round had he stayed in the draft.

Maryland Head coach was predictably pleased with Trimble's decision:

"Melo informed me tonight that he has decided to return to Maryland for his junior season. After gathering information throughout this process, I agree that this is the best decision for him. Melo is a very special person. He is a winner, and his impact on our program has been immeasurable. Melo has an extremely bright future ahead of him both on and off the basketball court. We are excited that he will continue to pursue his degree and build upon his legacy in College Park."

Contact Corey Chaconas at [email protected].

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