TORONTO - Melo Trimble and Team USA overcame a 21-point third quarter deficit to claim an 87-82 win over the Dominican Republic and capture the bronze medal Saturday at the U.S. Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada.

Trimble, a rising sophomore point guard, made history last Tuesday evening becoming the first Maryland basketball player since 2007 and just the third Terp in school history to represent the university and basketball program on the 12-member 2015 U.S. Pan American Men's Basketball Team.

Trimble, who earlier this month spent a week at the Olympic training facility in Colorado Springs, worked with Team USA teammates and coaches in Chicago at the Bulls' practice facility in preparation for their preliminary game against Venezuela.

At 20 years of age, Trimble is the youngest player on the team, but he has taken the initiative to learn from his experienced teammates – many of whom are current and former NBA and international players.

“It's a good veteran group,” Trimble said. "They are teaching me a great deal and I'm soaking it all in and learning a lot.” 

Trimble shared that he is gaining a great deal of confidence and said that this experience will serve as a strong springboard in helping him develop into a more vocal leader.

“I'm a quiet by nature,” Trimble said. “ But I know this season I need to step up to the plate and be more vocal now that Dez (Wells) won't be here.”

Maryland men's basketball head coach Mark Turgeon, who was a court coach for the 2015, Pan American Men's Basketball, shared that as the week continued Trimble asserted himself in both workouts and practices.

“He gained more confidence and practiced very well as the week continued," Turgeon said. "Melo is playing at a high level entering the competition.” Turgeon said.

Trimble is in elite company -  joining James Gist (2007) and Walt Williams (1991) from the University of Maryland who represented this distinguished team.