Maryland's Melo Trimble To Declare For NBA Draft

COLLEGE PARK, MD — University of Maryland's star basketball player Melo Trimble announced he's giving up his senior year in college to head to the NBA, Maryland Athletics announced Wednesday morning.

Trimble, a three-time All-Big Ten selection, will enter the NBA Draft and sign with an agent.

“I am confident and excited to pursue an opportunity to play in the NBA,” Trimble said in a statement. “I am proud of what my teammates and I were able to accomplish these past three seasons at Maryland. I developed many great relationships and friendships and together we were able to create some very special moments for Maryland basketball."

The Upper Marlboro native led the Terps to its third straight NCAA Tournament appearance in 2017, and he's one of 15 players to earn all-conference honors three times at Maryland.

“Melo informed me that he has decided to enter his name in the NBA Draft,” head coach Mark Turgeon said. "Melo will be celebrated as one of the all-time greats in our program’s history. We are very excited for Melo as he pursues his dream of playing professional basketball.”

Trimble is one of four players in Maryland history to record 1,600 points, 400 assists and 150 steals, along with Terrapin legends Greivis Vasquez, Walt Williams and Johnny Rhodes.

Trimble ended his Maryland career ranked second all-time in career made free throws with 503; 13th in scoring with 1,658 points; 13th in assists with 403; eighth in made three point field goals with 177 and 19th in steals with 124.

Over his three-year collegiate career, Trimble average 15.9 points per game and was only the second player in Terrapin history to record 500 or more points in each of his first two seasons, joining former Naismith Player of the Year Joe Smith.

"To stay at home and attend the University of Maryland is the best decision that I ever made and it was truly special to play in front of my family, friends and our amazing fans," Trible said. "Maryland will always be home.”

The NBA Draft is Thursday, June 22.

Photo: University of Maryland