When Diamond Stone chose Maryland over Wisconsin in April, it was a flash point about Big Ten basketball changing of the guard this season. The timing of Stone’s commitment and Melo Trimble’s decision to return to school, happened at about exactly the same time; obviously conveying that the two decisions are obviously related.
With top ten recruit Diamond Stone teaming up with Melo Trimble, the Terps are now at the top of what should be an extremely competitive Big Ten Conference.
Mark Turgeon also gets Georgia Tech transfer, Robert Carter eligible and returns the versatile Jake Layman along with some developing sophomores-to-be.
Projected Depth Chart
C: Diamond Stone (Fr)/Damonte Dodd (Jr)/Michal Cekovsky (So)
PF: Robert Carter (Jr)
SF: Jake Layman (Sr)/Dion Wiley (So)
SG: Jared Nickens (So)
PG: Melo Trimble (So)/Jaylen Brantley (Jr)
Gone: SG-Dez Wells, PF-Jon Graham, F-Evan Smotrycz, G-Richaud Pack
This past year we reignited the “Fear the Turtle” tradition, as the 2014-15 Terps squad set a school record for regular season victories. We also reinvigorate the Maryland basketball tradition of awesome names: Exree Hipp, Laron Profit, Nick Caner-Medley, D.J. Strawberry…it continued with Melo Trimble and then gets taken to the next level with Diamond Stone. Both the 2014 McDonald’s All-American and the ’15 McDAA will be in the 2016 NBA Draft first round conversation for certain.
Tom Izzo raved about the point guard from Upper Marlboro (I’m guessing that’s also Upper Flavor Country), Maryland.
“I don’t think anybody thought Melo was going to be what he was, and so sometimes it’s what you recruit, sometimes it’s how you coach, sometimes it’s the right system, and sometimes a guy just makes enormous improvement from the end of his senior year to the beginning of his freshman year,” said Michigan State Coach Tom Izzo.
Izzo broke down his specific traits. He discussed what Melo Trimble brings to the table on the court:
“has the ability to get into the lane it seems like whenever he wants…When he shoots the ball well, that brings a whole other dimension to his game. He can get to the free-throw line, he doesn’t miss, he can get in the paint. He can do a lot of different things. He’s got some size. He’s got some strength. I’m a big fan.”
Turning our attention to Diamond Stone, he said at MCDAAG Media Day, he pointed out how well he will work with Trimble on pick and roll. Stone also said that he himself is the best big in the class of 2015.
When asked what makes him the biggest big in the 2015 class he said:
“I can do so much on the court, pass, rebound, block shots, low post game, I have shooting range, I bring character to the team.”
The 6-10 true center from Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin said he choose Maryland because he believes they can fast track his path to the pros.
“I feel like Maryland can get me to the NBA, and develop me as a person,” Diamond Stone said.
Now if a Kentucky recruit had said that same exact soundbite, the national media would totally rip him; and John Calipari as well. For whatever reason, when Kentucky acts as a NBA Developmental League, the national conversation deems it “bad for college basketball” or “kind of questionable.”
Yet when Duke acts in the same exact manner it’s “doing things the right way.”
Or just see this satirical chart from Sports Pickle
Here’s where we have Diamond Stone in our latest 2016 NBA Mock draft:
6. Diamond Stone, C, Maryland, 6-10, HS Sr.
A pure low post scorer, Diamond Stone also has a nice face-up game for the next level.
Here’s the link to our 2015-16 top 25 national rankings (Terrapins are #7).
That said, here’s the link to our extremely early projection of how the Big Ten race shapes out in 2015-16.
(link to 2015-16 Maryland season preview)
(link to 2015-16 MSU season preview)
(Wolverines make our 5 non-NCAA Tournament teams who will go dancing next year)
(Badgers make our 5 elite teams who take a step back next season list)
(link to 2015-16 Illinois season preview)
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and sometimes writes The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. The website is also featured on News Now.
Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes to the Chicago Tribune RedEye. He also appears regularly on numerous talk shows all across the country. Catch him Tuesdays on KOZN 1620 The Zone.
Follow him on Twitter and Instagram