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Sunday, April 7
Updated: April 18, 11:26 AM ET
 
Who showed up, and who showed well

By Andy Katz
ESPN.com

PORTSMOUTH, Va. -- NBA personnel, let alone the organizers of the Portsmouth Invitational (Va.), a privately run, seniors-only NBA draft camp not affiliated with the league, were disappointed that a number of players (Notre Dame's Ryan Humphrey, Oregon's Freddie Jones, Kansas' Jeff Boschee, Memphis' Kelly Wise, St. Bonaventure's J.R. Bremer, N.C. State's Anthony Grundy and Oklahoma State's Maurice Baker) backed out of the camp. Arkansas State's Jason Jennings was the worst offender, according to the organizers, by saying he would come and then not using his plane ticket.

The depth of talent, at least in terms of college players, was better than past seasons. But that was largely because there is no May event after the Desert Classic in Phoenix was canceled this season. Last season, Kyle Hill was the only player drafted who played in Portsmouth. That should change this year. While this isn't an exact science, here are the players who caught scouts' eyes the most and have a good shot to be in one of the two rounds in June -- especially if they can get to the NBA's Chicago pre-draft camp June 5-8.

Iowa's Luke Recker helped his cause at Portsmouth.

  • Chris Williams, F, Virginia: Still a scorer, even if he didn't do a lot of it in Porstmouth. Has the size at 6-7 to potentially be a 2 or 3 in the league and a possible second round pick.

  • Matt Barnes, F, UCLA: His size at 6-7 and his handle and shooting touch make him a possible two guard in the NBA and he did enough to warrant a second-round look.

  • Byron Mouton, F, Maryland: He played with more energy than any other player and while he lacks a true position he could be on a second-round draft watch for a team looking for an intriguing practice player in camp.

  • Kevin Lyde, C, Temple: He's big, slow and has good hands. That could be enough for someone to take him in the second round. Big men usually don't go unnoticed on draft night.

  • Kris Lang, F, North Carolina: He stays with the basketball around the basket and while he wasn't a dominating player in Portsmouth, he still was active and comes from good pedigree in Chapel Hill.

  • Randy Holcomb, F, San Diego State: He had the best dunk of the weekend, and scouts loved his activity around the offensive backboard, his left-handed touch and ability to handle the ball. He gave himself a chance to get into the second round.

  • Luke Recker, G, Iowa: He really helped himself getting into the second round and gave himself a chance to be in the first round if he plays well in Chicago. He's a likely invited guest to that party after playing hard and making shots.

  • Robert Archibald, F, Illinois: Scouts loved his frame and size even before he got to Portsmouth. He did enough to where he could get to Chicago and should be somewhere in the second round.

  • John Salmons, G, Miami: He wasn't as consistent but scouts have loved his pro potential all season. He can and has played four of the five positions. Scouts don't expect him to go unnoticed in the second round.

  • Lonnie Jones, C, Ball State: He's 6-11 and that alone should get him a look in the second round. Once again, he wasn't dominant but no one else was in the big men class at Portsmouth.

  • Altron Jackson, F, South Florida: He didn't do enough to distinguish himself but he's still a scorer, a scrappy player and if he can get to Chicago would have a chance to get into the second round.

  • Aaron McGhee, F, Oklahoma: He was erratic as a scorer but he's still a tough player who can bang and defend. He's the kind of sleeper pick that could go in the second round.

  • Antwan Scott, F, Wake Forest: Shot the ball well Friday and has the size at 6-8 that could be appealing to a team looking for a skilled forward. He's got a chance if he can get invited to Chicago.

  • Chris Christofferson, C, Oregon: He's a large man and he's big enough that someone will likely try and nab him in the second round. He helped himself throughout the season by logging major minutes.

  • Jobey Thomas, G, Charlotte: When he's on, he's one of the better shooters available. He didn't wow everyone but he's on the scouts' radar enough to get a serious look in the second round.

  • John Linehan, G, Providence: Linehan was a late addition to the camp and made the most of it. He's a one-man press and made shots during the camp, despite injuring his wrist. He should get a look in the second or at the very least be on someone's summer team.

  • Andy Ellis, F, Texas Tech: llis really helped himself by making shots from the 3-point line in throughout the camp. He ran the floor well and some scouts were talking about him potentially sneaking up into the late first if he keeps playing well.

  • Brian Brown, G, Ohio State: He didn't stand out enough but the body of his work bodes well for him to be a second-round pick. He's still an all-around guard who busts his tail at both ends.

  • Jannero Pargo, G, Arkansas: The scouts were talking about his 18 assist game and his ability to make shots. He wasn't shy about gunning every few possessions and he has the skills to be a second-round pick.

  • Brooks Sales, F, Villanova: Once again we're talking size here at 6-10. He didn't do enough to help himself but his size might be enough for someone to take a chance on him in the second round.

  • Ronald Murray, Shaw University: The Division II star is a true two guard who will get a look in the second. Scouts love to get a sleeper and he could end up as one if he gets to Chicago and turns some heads.

  • Rasual Butler, F, LaSalle: He didn't play well and doesn't have a true position. But the body of his work bodes well for him to get another look if he can get to Chicago or do well in workouts.

  • Lubos Barton, F, Valparaiso: He is a better shooter than what he showed in Portsmouth. He's got the upside to be in a camp but didn't do enough to get into the second round unless he can make a late push.

    Andy Katz is a senior writer at ESPN.com. He covers the NBA draft for ESPN.com and ESPN and will have periodic reports until the June 26 draft.





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