Melo Trimble's Big Return To Maryland

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The people, the cameras, the attention. Melo Trimble was a popular man inside the Marriott Wardman Park hotel Thursday afternoon, and understandably so.

After all, not many people expected the 6-foot-3 point guard to return to Maryland for his junior season. That includes himself.

Trimble, who led the Terrapins in scoring (14.8 ppg.) and assists (5.0 apg.) in 2015-16, withdrew his name from the NBA Draft and elected to return to school. Now, as a a Preseason All-Big Ten Selection, he is poised to lead Maryland to bigger and better things after a Sweet 16 appearance last season.

And perhaps no one is more excited than his coach, Mark Turgeon:

“Melo's had an unbelievable first two years for us. I thought his sophomore year was exceptional, too, and he doubled his assists and still scored at a high level. So he is at great peace. I think all along Melo wanted to stay. He knew it was the best thing for him, and he's been very happy since he made that decision. 

“He's improved again in a lot of areas. Probably the area he’s improved the most is he's just very comfortable being a leader. He's always been a great player, but when you're a freshman, it's hard to lead seniors sometimes. And I think he's become more comfortable. He knows it's his team in a lot of ways, so he's very comfortable in his own skin right now and he's playing at a high level. 

“He's at a high, high level right now, and better than I’ve ever seen him, which is great for our team. But he knows this is his team. He's kind of relaxed about that. He's not worried about stepping on anybody's toes maybe like he has in the last couple years. So it should be a great year for Melo.”

Better than ever? It sounds like Maryland is in for a real treat with its leader and floor general back.