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5 most significant NBA Draft early entry decisions

By Chris Stone

Jan 27, 2016; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Jawun Evans (1) during the second half against the Baylor Bears at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Baylor won 69-65. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 27, 2016; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Jawun Evans (1) during the second half against the Baylor Bears at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Baylor won 69-65. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 16, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Maryland Terrapins guard Melo Trimble (2) passes the ball against the Xavier Musketeers during the first half in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Maryland Terrapins guard Melo Trimble (2) passes the ball against the Xavier Musketeers during the first half in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Melo Trimble, Maryland

Coming back to school likely wouldn’t have done much for Maryland point guard Melo Trimble. After a successful freshman campaign, Trimble’s draft stock has slipped as his lack of athleticism and struggles from behind the 3-point arc have become more obvious. He may not end up playing in the NBA, but Trimble should have opportunities to put some cash in his pockets overseas and with a limited amount of years to actually play basketball, leaving now makes plenty of sense.

Trimble’s exit, though, is significant for the Terrapins. He averaged 16.8 points and 3.7 assists per game this season in 32.1 minutes while handling most of the primary ball-handling duties. He used 28.6 percent of possessions when he was on the floor, per KenPom, which leaves a lot of shots to replace. Those responsibilities seem likely to fall to rising sophomore Anthony Cowan, a former four-star recruit out of Washington, DC. Cowan averaged 10.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game as a freshman.

Trimble has been a mainstay of the Maryland program for the last three seasons, so moving on from him will obviously be a difficult task for head coach Mark Turgeon and his assistants as they look to reshape the identity of the team without Melo on the floor.