THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 7, 1994 TAG: 9407070671
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C9 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 95 lines
Cornel Parker was in Boston last week when the NBA draft was held, watching the proceedings on television at the home of a friend. Sunday, he'll go back there for what he hopes is his first step toward an NBA career.
The former University of Virginia and Maury High School star was praised by sportscasters Bill Packer and Dick Vitale last season as college basketball's best defensive player, but was not taken in the draft's two rounds.
The Celtics, however, invited Parker to New England for a weeklong tryout. If he impresses the Celts, he'll join their summer league team in the New York for at least a few days.
Then, Parker hopes, will come a formal contract offer.
Clayton Ritter, who jousted with Parker in high school, is taking a similar path to the West Coast. The former James Madison and Kempsville High standout is headed for Los Angeles today where he will try out with the Lakers for the next week or two.
Ritter, who led JMU to the Colonial Athletic Association title, also has a contract offer in hand from a professional team in Belgium.
``I look on this as a win-win situation,'' Ritter said. ``If I make the Lakers, well, that's obviously terrific. If not, I'll play in Belgium, make good money and save up for law school.''
Ritter has been accepted by the Sanford University law school in Alabama. He's asked Sanford to delay his admission until he's finished with his pro career.
Parker will also have tryouts with Denver and Utah. He likely will play in Italy or France if he doesn't stick in the NBA.
``Regardless of what happens, I'll wind up playing somewhere,'' he said.
In that, both he and Ritter are ahead of other college seniors from South Hampton Roads.
Curley Young, the East Carolina star from Chesapeake, is playing in the Hampton Roads Pro-Am League. No NBA teams have called, say ECU's coaches.
Old Dominion's two Kevins - guards Kevin Larkin and Kevin Swann - are both concentrating on non-basketball careers.
Larkin recently landed a job with NationsBank. Swann is working on his master's degree at ODU.
``I had some discussions about attending a tryout camp in Europe,'' Swann said. ``But so far it hasn't worked out.''
Norfolk State officials say Sean Bell, the Spartans' only senior, hasn't gotten any feelers from the pros.
Ritter says he feels ``very fortunate'' not to be in the same boat.
``It was a blessing from the Lord just to be able to play in college,'' he said. ``To be paid for something you love to do, that's really a tremendous thing.''
Ritter attracted the eye of NBA scouts in the NCAA tournament. He was 12-of-19 against Florida in a 64-62 first-round loss to the Gators, who went on to reach the Final Four.
In the final minutes, Florida double-teamed Ritter on nearly every possession, yet he continued to make an assortment of off-balance shots and scored 15 of JMU's last 23 points.
Then Ritter caught the attention of Jerry West, the Lakers' general manager, with a credible performance in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament.
Parker also played in the PIT, but as an ACC player was seen more often by NBA scouts than Ritter was. The Celtics told him they might draft him in the second round, but instead took Andrei Festisov from Russia.
``I thought I might get drafted, but I'm not disappointed I didn't,'' he said. ``Even second-round picks have to make their teams. They're not guaranteed. I knew that I'd have to fight for a place in the NBA whether I was drafted or not.
``If you're not a first-round pick, you have to be in the right place at the right time. You need to do something a team needs.''
Parker is a strong defender and rebounder, but not a prolific scorer. He says his best chance will be with a team in need of a defensive stopper to come off the bench and shut down a hot opponent.
``That's the role people see me playing,'' he said. ``I feel like I can play in the NBA. I can help a team.
``Hopefully each year I can improve and show I have an offensive end, too.''
His agent, Mike Arias, is negotiating with European teams and also plans to contact the Continental Basketball Association.
``If my agent thinks I have a good chance of being called up by an NBA team, I'll play in the CBA,'' Parker said. ``That's where NBA teams go looking when they need to add someone.
``I wouldn't make as much money as I would in Europe, but it might be worth it. I want to play in the NBA. I've worked hard to get there and think I can play there.'' ILLUSTRATION: Cornel
Parker
Clayton
Ritter
by CNB