| | By Andy Katz
ESPN.com
The problem with the Portsmouth Invitational is if a team doesn't have decent point-guard play, it's finished by the second afternoon.
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Why so early?
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The 48th annual Portsmouth (Va.) Invitational went off without a hitch last weekend, but that doesn't mean it was easy on the players involved.
The timing of the event is done for the benefit of NBA scouts and general managers, not the players involved. Missing time in the middle of the second semester or at the start of spring quarter may hurt players trying to complete their degrees, but the NBA doesn't seem to care about that.
TCU coach Billy Tubbs said Marquis Gainous had to drop a few credits because he was going to miss too much class time by attending the pre-draft camp. But if he didn't attend, he wouldn't have had a shot at getting drafted.
For the few players who will also go on to the Phoenix Desert Classic this week, they'll miss even more class time.
"The NBA doesn't care as much about that," said former USC coach George Raveling, who runs Nike's grass roots basketball programs.
The NBA wants the draft camps in early April for two reasons: the players are still in shape from the end of the college season, and having the camps in April eliminates overlap that may occur for NBA scouts and general managers who are trying to see their teams in the playoffs come late April and early May.
The Chicago pre-draft camp is in June, when a number of teams are done with their playoff runs.
"Having these tournaments at this time of the year is a valid argument but the student-athlete also has a responsibility," said Larry Harris, the director of player personnel for the Milwaukee Bucks. "They should have their house in order before this for graduation."
But not all of the players agree with the college coaches. Cincinnati's Ryan Fletcher said having the draft camps as soon after the season is the right way.
"Right after the Final Four is the only time," Fletcher said. "A lot of guys are still in shape. And, as far as school goes, most guys should only be one or two classes away."
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After the first game, the tournament becomes a single-elimination event. That means players on teams with poor guard play may only get seen twice. System players tend to struggle in the environment, while athletic players thrive in the wide-open style.
The beauty of the tournament is to see players blossom when they go against competition at their level, rather than playing down to competition in their league, especially if they're in a low-profile conference.
Traditionally, one to two first-round players come out of Portsmouth. A year ago, two first-round picks -- Jeff Foster and Devean George -- played in Portsmouth. Of the 64 players who attended last year's Portsmouth camp, 10 were drafted in the second round (Roberto Bergersen, John Celestand, Venson Hamilton, J.R. Koch, Melvin Levett, Eddie Lucas, Ryan Robertson, Antwain Smith, Tyrone Washington and Galen Young).
Conversely, six players who were among the 39 in Phoenix in '99 were drafted in the first round, while 14 Phoenix players were taken in the second round. In Chicago, four players of the 62 in attendance were drafted in the first round while 22 of the 62 were second-round picks.
At Portsmouth, Samford's Reed Rawlings, Purdue's Brian Cardinal and St. John's Lavor Postell may have played themselves into first-round picks, a number of NBA scouts told ESPN.com. Rawlings was the surprise in the camp. The 6-foot-7 forward scored with ease and could play either shooting guard or small forward in the NBA.
Cardinal's toughness wasn't the main thing that carried him through Portsmouth, but rather his consistency as a shooter. The 6-8, 230-pound bruiser is still a finesse shooter, and when you combine that with his work ethic he becomes an attractive pick. Postell will definitely be picked among the first 40 after he slashed his way to the basket in the same manner that he did for the Red Storm. The problem for Postell may be his size. He's listed at 6-6 but scouts worry he's only 6-4.
Cardinal is the only one of the three who is expected to be invited to Phoenix this week (April 11-15).
Here are the rest of the potential second-round picks (if Rawlings, Cardinal and Postell drop to round two) out of Portsmouth, according to scouts:
Eric Coley, 6-5, Tulsa: He got lost a bit in Portsmouth but is still often the best athlete on the floor. He'll make plays, and that's enough for a draft spot.
Caswell Cyrus, 6-9, St. Bonaventure: One of the surprises of the camp, and he'll get another chance to shine at Phoenix. Cyrus' athleticism impressed scouts looking for an active big man.
Axel Dench, 6-11, Gonzaga: Rebounded well and has the size to be picked late in the second round.
Rob Dye, 6-1, Bradley: Serious size concerns, but has good scoring touch.
Ryan Fletcher, 6-9, Cincinnati: He proved he could shoot from the 3-point area in as well as score in the low post. He's coachable, and he impressed the scouts enough to be given a look.
Richie Frahm, 6-5, Gonzaga: Erratic shooter took whose draft status took a serious hit when he broke a bone in his left foot at Portsmouth. That will greatly limit his workout capabilities and make him a borderline second-round pick.
Marquise Gainous, 6-9, Texas Christian: Gainous needs another shot to prove he's a consistent scorer for a second-round selection. He won't get it in Phoenix (no invitation).
Eddie Gill, 6-0, Weber State: Probably too wild to go anywhere but the CBA, but he could be a surprise pick late in the second.
Matt Gladieux, 6-5, Coastal Carolina: Next to Rawlings, Gladieux was the most surprising player. He made shots when given the chance. He's undersized but has second-round potential.
Ceedric Goodwyn, 6-8, Colorado State: Proved he could score at this level but could be a reach for the second round. He's listed as borderline.
Marcus Goree, 6-8, West Virginia: He was erratic but his size and scoring ability on the wing and inside intrigues scouts.
A.J. Granger, 6-9, Michigan State: He asked out of Portsmouth, probably because of his sharp shooting in the national title game. He's still second-round material, and will show that off at Phoenix.
Ron Hale, 6-8, Florida State: Hale was a potential first-round pick heading into Portsmouth but he broke a finger on his right hand three minutes into the first game. His draft status is in doubt, considering he's likely out of any other camp.
Nate Johnson, 6-6, Louisville: He's a tad below Goodwyn in the borderline category, largely because of his size.
Kenyon Jones, 6-10, San Francisco: He has the size, the shot-blocking ability and the athleticism for a second-round pick. A good showing at Phoenix will solidify that.
Brandon Kurtz, 6-11, Tulsa: Not a true center, but has the shooting skills to be taken in round two. He has been added to the Phoenix list.
Justin Love, 6-2, Saint Louis: Probably too short, but he's an active, aggressive scorer who is a borderline second-round pick.
Dan McClintock, 7-0, Northern Arizona: McClintock answered any critics about whether or not he could play at this level. He shot 3s, hit mid-range baskets and converted offensive rebounds. He'll get another chance to impress scouts at Phoenix.
Mate Milisa, 6-11, Long Beach State: An injured ankle kept him out of the camp and could prevent him from being drafted.
Damon Reed, 6-10, St. Rose (N.Y.): Hopes of being a first-round pick took a hit when he wasn't invited to Phoenix. His size and scoring ability still make him a strong second-round pick.
George Reese, 6-7, Ohio State: Offensive-minded, maybe too much, but has the intangibles for a draft pick.
Doc Robinson, 6-2, Auburn: Considered the best point guard at Portsmouth. He played within his limitations and should be drafted.
Mike Smith, 6-8, Louisiana-Monroe: Won the MVP of the tournament and shot well enough to be considered a second-round specialist.
Jarrett Stephens, 6-7, Penn State: He's a possible second-round pick after he bullied his way around the backboard. He'll get to show his worth even more in Phoenix. Picking him in the first round is not a reach, either.
Jake Voskuhl, 6-11, Connecticut: Bad feet kept him home and could hamper his draft status.
Jaquay Walls, 6-3, Colorado: His true size came into question but no one can argue his 3-point range. Walls could get hurt by a number of point guards dropping down to the second round.
Jameel Watkins, 6-10, Georgetown: The Hoyas' big man was a late addition to the tournament but proved he can bang and is worth a chance in the second round.
Andy Katz is a senior writer at ESPN.com. | |
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NBA draft: First-round projections
Nike Desert Classic rosters
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