2010 Portsmouth Invitational All-Tournament Team
By (Correspondent) on April 12, 2010
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We've already told you who we thought were going to be the best players at the Portsmouth Invitational. Now with the tournament concluded, it's time to name an All-Tournament team.
We decided to take two guards, two forwards, and one center, just like an actual roster. In addition, we've included an MVP, so only six of the 64 players selected to attend receive this honor. Some narrowly missed the list (Rodney Green) and some weren't even close (Marcus Ginyard).
Disagree with us? Let us know in the comments.
G - Jerome Randle (California)
Tournament Stats: 13.7 points, 8.7 assists, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals
Coming into the tournament we thought Randle could really improve his draft stock with a strong performance. Excluding the final game where the Pac-10 Player of the Year suffered through food poisoning, he couldn't have done any better.
Randle showed the ability to lead an offense, while still shouldering a significant load offensively. Typically, he was matched up with a player possessing a significant size advantage, but he used his basketball IQ to take smart shots and didn't force his offense.
Randle is looking more and more like Aaron Brooks, a player who started as projected second round then moved up with strong workouts. We're excited to see what he can do in individual workouts against Willie Warren and Avery Bradley, who many consider first round locks.
G - Mikhail Torrance (Alabama)
Tournament Stats: 17.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 6.0 assists
Yes, we're taking two players who will be point guards at the NBA level on our All-Tournament team. In our defense, both can score, pass, and rebound, and Torrance has the length to guard shooting guards.
Torrance proved all week that he might be the second best point guard in this class, behind only John Wall. We wouldn't be surprised if he came off the board anytime from the mid-20s all the way into the middle of the second round.
Torrance still needs to cut down on his turnovers and become more effective going to his right. Even with that said, all the tools are there and whatever team takes him may have the steal of the draft.
F - Edwin Ubiles (Siena)
Tournament Stats: 15.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.0 blocks, and 2.0 steals
We've explained that Ubiles possesses the perfect size for an NBA small forward. His stats at Portsmouth prove that he can do it all against a high level of competition, which he'll be able to further prove in his individual workouts.
The numbers don't tell the whole story with Ubiles. He is a great defender and often assigned to a team's best scorer. His long arms allow him to change a large number of shots and deflect passes on defense. On offense, he is seamless in changing direction and his long strides allow him to run the floor very well.
Ubiles has probably secured himself a spot in the second round with his play at Portsmouth.
F - DeShawn Sims (Michigan)
Tournament Stats: 18 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 52 percent field goal percentage.
DeShawn Sims was a force all week. Unlike the other players on our team, he didn't have a single poor performance. He scored 16 or more in each of his three games, and had at least seven rebounds in each as well.
He lacks a little bit of strength to play inside at an NBA level, but his face up game is simple and effective. He reminds of us Paul Millsap a little bit, and a team that takes him in the second round may have a similar steal on their hands.
C - Hamady Ndiaye (Rutgers)
Tournament Stats: 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks
Of all the players at Portsmouth, Ndiaye is one of the few who has his best basketball ahead of him. Few seniors come in with a lot of potential, but after seeing Ndiaye all weekend, it's clear he has it.
He is so long defensively that shot blocking is basically second nature to him. He reminds us of Samuel Dalembert, another player from the Big East that focused on the defensive end and let teams salivate over his length and athleticism.
Ndiaye is not a sure thing to get drafted, but it seems worth the gamble for a team in the second round to select him and have him play in the D-League next season. With strong coaching he could become a second center for someone in a few years.
MVP: G - Ryan Thompson (Rider)
Tournament Stats: 24 points, 6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2 steals
Ryan Thompson out of Rider plays in the shadow of big brother Jason (Sacramento Kings). He did his best to step completely out of that shadow with an incredible performance at Portsmouth.
Coming in Ryan had all the tools: good size, consistent jumper, good handle, ability to finish at the rim, and above average athleticism. He played at the LeBron James and Paul Pierce Skill Academies and was impressive.
In his senior season at Rider he seemed to regress a little. The team jerked him between both guard spots, and he never really found his rhythm. Apparently, he's found that rhythm since the end of this year.
He showed the ability to score at will for stretches, and passes the ball very well. Teams were impressed with his defense and he probably moved his way into the discussion of second round pick. Stories like his, and the others on this list, are what the promoters of Portsmouth should point to when trying to draw talent to the tournament.
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