THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 3, 1994 TAG: 9407020164
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, CURRENTS SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
THE NATIONAL BASKETBALL Association draft shows the 1994 Portsmouth Invitational Tournament had one of its most talented fields ever.
Thirteen of the PIT players were chosen in the two-round draft by the NBA Wednesday, three in the first round.
While the PIT's most valuable player, Askia Jones of Kansas State, was snubbed, six of the all-tournament selections were claimed in the 42 top choices by NBA teams.
The first-round picks from the PIT were Dickey Simpkins of Providence, Greg Minor of Louisville and Brooks Thompson of Oklahoma State.
Claimed in the second round were Howard Eisley of Boston College, Derrick Alston of Duquesne, Gaylon Nickerson of Northwest Oklahoma State, Anthony Miller of Michigan State, Gary Collier of Tulsa, Dwayne Morton of Louisville, Jamie Watson of South Carolina, Jevon Crudup of Detroit, Lawrence Funderburke of Ohio State and Albert Burditt of Texas.
Simpkins was the No. 1 choice of the Chicago Bulls, the 21st overall pick in the draft. A 6-foot-9, 248-pounder who played center but likely will be a big forward in the pros, Simpkins boosted his stock with a sterling PIT performance. He averaged 20 points, 12.5 rebounds and three assists in the PIT for K-Plus.
The 6-6 Minor and the 6-4 Thompson both played on the Hoechst Celanese team in the PIT. Four players were drafted from that team. Also chosen were Funderburke and Watson.
Minor, another All-PIT performer, was a second pick by the LA Clippers. Thompson, a good 3-point shooter, was Orlando's No. 1 draft.
Simpkins and Thompson were not ticketed for the NBA's Phoenix tryouts but gained invitations from strong play in the PIT.
Eisley, the 30th overall pick and Minnesota's No. 1 choice, is a 6-3 guard who played for Dolsey Ltd. He's a good ball handler and passer and had an average of 47 percent on 3-point shots in his career at Boston College.
Alston, Nickerson, Miller and Collier were picked on the All-PIT team, unquestionably raising their status in the draft. Philadelphia claimed Alston, Atlanta chose Nickerson, Golden State drafted Miller and Cleveland picked Collier. Golden State also selected Morton.
Watson went to Utah, Crudup to Detroit, Funderburke to Sacramento and Burditt to Houston.
``I think these draft picks show the high caliber of our 1994 tournament,'' said Yale Dolsey, co-chairman of the PIT player selection committee.
``We had nearly a third of our field drafted, and I am certain several others still will get opportunities.
``The NBA drafted 54 players. Eleven of these were underclassmen and not eligible to play in the PIT. Three are foreigners. Seven didn't play in any post-season tournaments. So, from the other 33 players, 13 came from our tournament.
``Most certainly Askia Jones will be among those who will still get a chance. He was outstanding in our tournament but obviously didn't play as well at Phoenix and Chicago.''
Dolsey pointed out that numerous players had kindled more interest from NBA scouts by playing in the Portsmouth tournament.
The University of Virginia's Cornel Parker, a local favorite in the PIT when he played for Beach Barton Ford, wasn't drafted but had a positive outlook about his chances as a pro anyway.
Parker, a Norfolk native and former Maury High School star, was one of the speakers at Paul Webb's Converse Camp at Western Branch High School last week.
``Sometimes it can be better not to be drafted than just be taken at the bottom of the draft,'' said Parker. ``This can give me an opportunity to talk with several teams that might need a player with my talents rather than being locked into one team.
``I seem to be looked upon as a defensive player because that was the role I filled at Virginia. But, if you remember, I was an offensive player at Maury. I've always been a scorer.''
The 6-7 Parker views himself as ``a tweener.''
``I don't have a true position,'' he explained. ``I can play at two or three spots.''
Parker needs one summer session to get his degree at Virginia. He expects to go to one of the rookie camps and could play in a pro league outside the country if he is unable to hook on with the NBA.
``I think he will get a chance in the NBA,'' Dolsey said. ``So will Melvin Booker of Missouri. He is an All-American who wasn't drafted.'' ILLUSTRATION: File photo
U.Va.'s Cornel Parker, a local favorite in the PIT, wasn't drafted.
by CNB