Diamond Stone Named AP B1G Newcomer Of The Year
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Maryland freshman center Diamond Stone was named the Associated Press Big Ten Conference Newcomer of the Year while sophomore Melo Trimble was tabbed to the second team Monday.
Stone ranks third all-time in Maryland history for blocks for a freshman in a single season. He has scored in double figures in 14 of 17 league contests, averaging 13.7 points per game. The center from Milwaukee, Wisc., established a Maryland freshman record and all-time mark at XFINITY Center with 39 points vs. Penn State (12/30). He ranks third in blocks and sixth in field goal percentage in B1G play.
Melo Trimble, who was named to the national ballot for the Wooden Award on Saturday, leads the Terps in scoring, assists, free throw percentage and steals. The Upper Marlboro, Md., native scored 20 or more points eight times, including B1G games vs. Michigan State, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Northwestern and Nebraska.
Maryland – the third seed in the upcoming Big Ten Tournament – will play in the quarterfinals on Friday at 9 p.m. in Indianapolis.
AP All-Big Ten Honors
FIRST TEAM
F_Jarrod Uthoff, Iowa, Sr., 6-9, 221, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
F_Nigel Hayes, Wisconsin, Jr., 6-8, 240, Toledo, Ohio.
C_A.J. Hammons, Purdue, Sr., 7-0, 250, Carmel, Indiana.
G_Kevin "Yogi" Ferrell, Indiana, Sr., 6-0, 180, Indianapolis.
G_Denzel Valentine, Michigan State, Sr., 6-5, 220, Lansing, Michigan.
SECOND TEAM
F_Peter Jok, Iowa, Jr., 6-6, 205, West Des Moines, Iowa.
F_Matt Costello, Michigan State, Sr., 6-9, 245, Linwood, Michigan.
G_Melo Trimble, Maryland, So., 6-3, 185, Upper Marlboro, Maryland.
G_Malcolm Hill, Illinois, Jr., 6-6, 220, Fairview Heights, Illinois.
G_Bryn Forbes, Michigan State, Sr., 6-3, 190, Lansing, Michigan.
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Player of the Year
Denzel Valentine, Michigan State
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Defensive Player of the Year
A.J. Hammons, Purdue
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Newcomer of the Year
Diamond Stone, Maryland, Fr., 6-11, 255, Milwaukee.
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Coach of the Year
Tom Crean, Indiana