THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, July 16, 1994 TAG: 9407160431
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
Among the players in the Hampton Roads Pro-Am League this summer is one who led the nation in scoring last year.
OK, so the nation was Ireland, not exactly a hoops hotbed, even in Europe. But the player, at least, is one who's familiar to local basketball fans.
He's former Old Dominion star Ricardo Leonard, back in town after a stint in Ireland's Budweiser Super League.
Leonard led his team to the championship game, and though it lost, he was voted league MVP.
``I had a good time, even though the money wasn't too good,'' Leonard said after a 30-point performance July 9 at Lake Taylor High. ``It wasn't too different. They speak English, so everything was all right.''
Leonard, a 6-foot-6 forward, said the competition in Ireland was better than he expected.
``Each team can have one American, and they all had three or four key Irish players,'' he said. ``There were some pretty decent players.''
Leonard, however, won't be enjoying another Irish spring. He turned down an invitation to return to Ireland and is instead heading to Austria, where he spent the 1992-93 season.
``The money and the exposure are better there,'' he said.
NEW, IMPROVED MORDICA: Although it won't show up in the statistics, last year may have been the best of Jeff Mordica's career.
The former Great Bridge High star sat out the season at Old Dominion after transferring from Holy Cross. Although he wasn't eligible to play for the Monarchs, Mordica didn't take a break from basketball. In fact, he played more than ever.
``It really helped me, having a year off to improve my game,'' he said. ``I could play anytime, and I didn't have to worry about resting for games. I feel like I've improved quite a bit.''
His play in the Hampton Roads Pro-Am League bears that out. Mordica, a 6-5 swingman, has turned heads with his aggressive play. On July 8, he led Servicemasters with 22 points.
Mordica, 20, left non-scholarship Holy Cross in hopes of winning a scholarship at Old Dominion. He said former Monarchs coach Oliver Purnell told him his chances were pretty good. Now that Purnell has been replaced by Jeff Capel, Mordica isn't as certain.
``He hasn't seen me play that much,'' Mordica said. ``But I think everything will work out.''
MANNY WHO? In a league like the Pro-Am, having a little reputation can't hurt. And not having one can be a big handicap.
Take Mannie Kimmie, for instance. Playing for the Hornets on July 9, Kimmie, a 6-2 guard, didn't get off the bench in the first half. Someone told him to grab another jersey and play in the nightcap. Kimmie did and led his team to victory. ``They don't know me,'' Kimmie said.
Kimmie, 26, certainly had no local rep, although he's quickly earning one. He played at Western Washington University, spent a year in the CBA and another in Australia. He's living with an uncle in Chesapeake, hoping to hook up with another pro team.
In two appearances, Kimmie has shown himself to be one of the more polished guards in the league. And as for his slight last week, he holds no grudge.
``Hey, it's their gym,'' he said.
COMINGS AND GOINGS: Two-time Pro-Am MVP Darren Sanderlin is playing with the Charlotte Hornets in the Southern Rookie Review which concludes tonight in Orlando, Fla. Sanderlin earned the trip by surviving a cut Wednesday at the Hornets' rookie and free agent camp. Also playing with the Hornets in Orlando is former Elizabeth City State star Nate Higgs, another Pro-Am alum. ... Norfolk State's Corey Williams spent the week as a counselor at the Boston Celtics' youth camp in Waltham, Mass. As a counselor, Williams was eligible to play in evening pickup games with Celtics rookies and free agents. ... Maryland's Joe Smith was scheduled to complete summer school Friday and said he'll spend the remainder of the summer at home in Norfolk. Smith dropped in 86 points in two Pro-Am games last weekend. ... Higgs' former Elizabeth City teammate, Maurice Barnett, has signed a contract with a team in France. by CNB