Diamond’s legacy gets more tarnish
Former Terps center Stone among group of players accused of accepting money
Like so many short-lived marriages, the one between Diamond Stone and Maryland began with strong feelings and unbridled optimism for a successful union.
“I’m excited about this opportunity,” Stone said when he signed with the Terps in the spring of 2015. “I’m just looking forward to starting a new chapter of my life.”
“He fits perfectly with the personality of our team,” Maryland coach Mark Turgeon said at the time. “[He] has an insatiable desire to be to be great.”
As things turned out, the relationship didn’t last long. The acrimonious ending after Stone’s departure following his freshman year became even more bitter Friday.
The allegation that Stone received $14,303 from an agent during his only season at Maryland did not come as a surprise to those who have followed college Regular-season finale Today, noon TV: ESPN Radio: 105.7 FM, 980 AM
basketball — or the downward trajectory of Stone’s professional career.
Former Maryland All-American Len Elmore, a Harvard Law School graduate who for a few years served as an agent for fellow Terps Joe Smith and Walt Williams, was one of them.
“You find ways to get in touch with people,” Elmore said. “You don’t have to necessarily violate rules in contacting people and having a dialogue. That’s not a violation of anything. People have to remember that.
“It’s the giving of the improper benefits. It’s the oral or written agreement for service while a person still has eligibility that’s wrong. From that standpoint, if no one from Maryland is involved — even a facilitation of a meeting — there’s nothing you can do.”
In a statement released Friday afternoon, Turgeon denied any knowledge of a payment to Stone, who remains the highest-rated recruit the Terps have signed since Turgeon took over the program in 2011 after the retirement of Hall of Fame coach Gary Williams.
“Late last night we were alerted of a report associating one of our former student-athletes with an agent. We are extremely disappointed, and we will fully cooperate with any investigation,” Turgeon said. “I do not have a relationship with [agent] Andy Miller or anyone from his agency, and at no time have I ever had a conversation with Andy Miller or his agency regarding any Maryland basketball player. We remain steadfast in upholding a program of integrity that reflects the values of our University community.”
Efforts to reach Stone and his family for comment were unsuccessful.
Considered a potential high lottery pick coming out of high school in Milwaukee, Stone’s stock had dropped precipitously during his one year of college basketball.
Stone was selected 40th overall by the New Orleans Pelicans and traded on draft night to the Los Angeles Clippers, a move that foreshadowed how his pro career would unfold.