LOS ANGELES – Diamond Stone took a semester’s worth of classes at Maryland before declaring for the NBA, but he’s enrolled in a very exclusive continuing education program in Playa Vista.

Around 10 a.m., Stone goes to school with Professor Paul Pierce, with the two players battling 1-on-1 before each of the Clipper practices over the past few weeks.

And class, it can get pretty contentious, starting with roll call.

“Diamond is a stripper name,” Pierce said. “His name is Rookie.”

The pair have very little in common on the surface. Pierce is nearly 20 years Stone’s senior and in the last season of a Hall of Fame career. Stone, a second-round pick, is trying to find his way in a league he knows nothing about.

“I’m just trying to pass something to him, that’s all, just give something to the younger generation,” Pierce said. “That’s why I’ve been out there working with him pretty much every morning, lifting, just teaching him what it’s going to take. A lot of things I’m telling him, I’m telling him like, look, man it was hard making, but the hard part is staying. I’ve seen a lot of guys come and go.”

And, Pierce wants to do his part to make sure Stone can stick. And, it certainly looks like Stone has the skills to be in the NBA for a while.

Built like a modern NBA center, Stone has surprised his coaches and teammates by stepping out the 3-point line and drilling jumpers. He’s a better passer than they expected, and he can finish around the basket with both hands.

And in Pierce, he’s getting a chance to learn from one of the most skilled offensive players in the last 20 years.

“Can you imagine being 19, playing 1-on-1 every single day with Paul Pierce? That’s pretty cool to watch,” Coach Doc Rivers said before Monday’s exhibition game with Utah. “…I say it all the time, it’s nice to look at the guys who are dunking all the time. But if you really want to watch a basketball player, you watch Paul Pierce. He’s fundamental. He has the footwork of a king. You love watching him play. I think it has to help Diamond at some point. I think it will.”

It probably already has.

“Working with a guy with 26,000 points and learning every little detail about footwork and shot fakes and everything, it helps my game,” Stone said. “(His footwork) is amazing, just because he can get any shot he wants. And you know what shot he’s going to take, but you still can’t stop it.”

The most important part of the relationship, it seems, is that Stone wants to stay in school, with Pierce teaching. His willingness to learn, and just as importantly, to work, could keep the classes going all year long.

“Every year I speak to the rookies. I tell them what I think and I work with them,” Pierce said. “But then, I only stay with the ones who want to listen. I don’t waste my time if you don’t want to listen or you don’t want to get to practice and work, be there early. Those guys, I’m only going to tell you once. I maybe – maybe – tell you twice, but after that you’re on your own now. I’ve seen it too many times to just waste time.

“But if I find a rookie who’s willing to listen, willing to work, I’m going to stick with you. I can see that off the jump.”

ALSO

Alan Anderson got a chance to start at small forward Monday night, scoring three points in just 10 minutes in the team’s 96-94 preseason loss to the Utah Jazz at Staples Center. Luc Mbah a Moute started the second half at small forward. … Jamal Crawford led the Clippers with 16 points, but his late turnover was costly. … Chris Paul finished with 14 points, five assists, three rebounds and three steals. … The Clippers (1-2) play host to Portland on Thursday.

Contact the writer: dwoike@scng.com