Melo Trimble to return to Maryland for his sophomore season

Electric freshman point guard Melo Trimble will return to Maryland for his sophomore season, the team announced in a press release Wednesday morning.

Trimble led the Terrapins in scoring last season at 16.2 points per game and was named to the U.S. Basketball Writers’ Association freshman All-American team. The Upper Marlboro, Maryland, native was considered likely to return but did seriously consider entering the NBA draft.

“We did our due diligence and also had a number of great discussions with Melo and his mom regarding what would be best regarding his future,” Maryland coach Mark Turgeon said in a statement. “He is excited about playing with a great team and is looking forward to his sophomore year at Maryland.”

The Terrapins reached the NCAA tournament for the first time in five years this season, earning a No. 4 seed in the Midwest region. They defeated Valparaiso in the opening round before losing to West Virginia in their second game — one that Trimble exited in the second half because of concussion-like symptoms.

Since that night, Trimble and his mother, Kim, have considered the star guard’s options. Trimble ultimately decided that the professional game can wait.

“I am excited about spending another year with my teammates and building on what we accomplished this year,” he said in a statement. “I want to thank Coach Turgeon for helping my mom and I through this process. This was the best decision for me.”

With Trimble back in the fold, Maryland will enter the 2015-16 season as one of the favorites in the Big Ten. Despite losing a strong group of seniors, most notably Dez Wells, the Terrapins will add two high-profile pieces to their front court. Robert Carter Jr., who sat out 2014 because of the NCAA’s transfer rules, will be eligible to play. Five-star prospect Diamond Stone orally committed to Maryland on Friday.

In an interview on 106.7 The Fan on Wednesday afternoon, Stone said he knew of Trimble’s decision to stay before making his commitment. 

“I actually texted Melo, so I knew before that he was going to stay,” Stone told the radio station. “If he’d have left, I probably wouldn’t be as Maryland.”