Freshman Melo Trimble Has Maryland On Path For NCAA Tourney
By Danny Cox
Name: Melo Trimble #2
University: Maryland
Year: Freshman
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 175 lbs.
Hometown: Upper Marlboro, MD
Position: Guard
The 14th-ranked Maryland Terrapins are well on their way to a berth in the NCAA Tournament and will be right in the middle of March Madness. As a whole unit, the entire team is playing well from one end of the roster to the other, but there is always a standout. For Maryland, that would be freshman Melo Trimble, who has led the Terrapins to a 23-5 record and is having an amazing season.
Melo not only leads the team in scoring with 16.1 points per game, but he also leads the team in minutes played (33.4 per game), assists (3.1 per game) and steals (1.4 per game).
He even has his own phrase from coach Mark Turgeon so that he can believe in himself whenever he doubts his talents - "Be Melo."
The 20-year-old played at Bishop O'Connell High School in Arlington, Virginia, but returned home to attend college and play for the Terrapins. As a McDonald's All-American, he had a number of options for where he could go and start, and he chose to attend his "dream school" from when he was growing up.
In the offseason, Maryland lost four key players and it appeared as if those defections would make the 2014-2015 season a complete wash. With those losses, Trimble was thrust almost immediately into the starting line-up and he never missed a beat in his transition from high school.
While in high school, Trimble quickly developed into one of the top point guards in the country. After committing to Maryland in late 2012, he moved from point guard to shooting guard and amazingly enough...he got even better. He not only became Maryland's first All-American since 2003, but was also named the 2014 All-Metro Player of the Year by "The Washington Post."
As his freshman year at Maryland began, some thought that his "rookie year" would be like all others. They believed he was talented, but "still a rookie."
Trimble's game has improved as the season has gone on and his scoring is one thing, but his passing skills have improved with each and every single game. He can shoot, pass, fake out, and draw fouls better than some pros, but he's just a 20-year-old freshman.
His numbers can't be doubted and just watching him play one game will prove that he's not a one-trick pony. Melo Trimble is the real deal and he's only to keep getting better.
Now, Mark Turgeon is leading the Maryland Terrapins toward a berth in the NCAA Tournament, something he has failed to do in his first three seasons. Yes, the entire roster is taking the team there, but it's Melo Trimble that has turned this team from pretenders into contenders.
Be Melo, Terrapins. Be Melo.
Danny Cox knows a little something about the NFL, whether it means letting you know what penalty will come from the flag just thrown on the field or quickly spouting off who the Chicago Bears drafted in the first round of the 1987 draft (Jim Harbaugh). He plans on bringing you the best news, previews, recaps, and anything else that may come along with the exciting world of the National Football League. Danny is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com.
