THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 31, 1996 TAG: 9603300095
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, CURRENTS SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 89 lines
Through the years hundreds of players have moved into the professional basketball ranks from the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament.
The PIT Hall of Fame, its annual all-tournament team which now numbers 43 squads, includes some of the all-time greats of the NBA - such as Rick Barry, Earl Monroe, Dave Cowens, Dennis Rodman, Dan Majerle, Tim Hardaway, John Stockton and Scottie Pippen.
Barry came in as an All-American and was the most valuable player in the 1965 tournament. MVP awards also went to Hardaway (1989), Majerle (1988), Rodman (1986), Cowens (1970) and Monroe (1967).
Picking up the outstanding player award in front of dozens of NBA scouts is a major stepping stone for any aspiring professional.
As the 44th annual PIT commences a four-night run on Wednesday in the Churchland High School gym, who are some of the prime candidates for MVP, 1996?
Could it be a scorer?
The tourney has drawn the nation's top two pointmakers, Kevin Granger of Texas Southern and Hampton's J.J. Williams. Both averaged over 28 points per game.
Could it be a player whose college team reached the Final Four?
The PIT has two from Massachusetts - Dana Dingle and Donta Bright - one from Kentucky - Mark Pope - and one from Mississippi State - Darryl Wilson.
What about a player who can light up the scoreboard with 3-pointers?
Record holders at six colleges are in this tournament. Keep an eye on Erick Strickland, Nebraska's all-time 3-point maker, or James Madison's Darren McLinton, who broke the CAA record with 118 3-point goals the past season.
Maybe it will be a rebounding dominator.
How about Drexel's Malik Rose (13.1 rebounds per game) or Virginia Commonwealth's Bernard Hopkins (10.1 rpg)?
Could it be a player from a school that received little national attention during the regular season. Remember, Pippin came in from Central Arkansas, Majerle from Central Michigan and Rodman from Southeastern Oklahoma State.
Coming in this year are Jeff Nordgaard of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Derek Fisher of Arkansas Little Rock and Ben Handlogten of Western Michigan.
Let's venture a guess at which player will carry home the MVP trophy.
My pick is Rose, the wearer of 00 from Drexel.
Here's a little background on the 6-foot-7, 250-pound senior center.
He led Drexel to a 26-3 regular season. In addition to his double-figure rebounding, he was the team's top scorer with a 20.5 average.
Rose came out of the same high school that produced a guy named Wilt Chamberlain.
They call him ``Horse.'' He has a dual major - computer information systems and teacher preparation. He wants to teach math after an expected stint in the NBA. He already has put in time as a fifth-grade student teacher at an elementary school several blocks from the Drexel campus.
Music is his hobby. He is a member of Drexel's concert and jazz bands.
And the guess here is that he will provide some sweet sounding string music at the PIT. MEMO: PIT AT A GLANCE
Site - Churchland High School
Quarterfinals - Wednesday at 7 and 9 p.m.; Thursday at 7 and 9 p.m.
Semifinals - Friday at 7 and 9 p.m.
Third-place game - Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
Championship - Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Consolation games - Thursday at 3:15 p.m.; Friday at 3:15 p.m.;
Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
Admission - $6 per night or $20 for tournament pass (tickets on sale
at Willett Hall or any TicketMaster outlet). ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Robinson
Williams
Pope
Granger
Malik Rose, Drexel
Photo by HARRY SCULL JR.
Michael Meeks of Canisius, right, is a player to watch when the 44th
annual PIT commences a four-night run on Wednesday in the Churchland
High School gym.
by CNB