Portsmouth, Va.-----Marquin Chandler, San Jose State University's leading scorer on the 2004-05 men's basketball team and a second-team Western Athletic Conference selection, is one of 64 college seniors who will be participating in the 53rd annual Portsmouth Invitational Tournament.
The annual event takes place April 6-9 and is a showcase for participants to display their skills to over 200 National Basketball Association (NBA) representatives from all 30 teams, the NBA Operations and Scouting offices. The Portsmouth Invitational is the only post-season event for college players prior to the NBA Camp held in Chicago, Ill., each June.
"I feel like this is a reward for a hard-fought season. This is a great opportunity. Not many players get this opportunity," said the
6-foot-7 Chandler, who led the Spartans in scoring and rebounding with his
19.6 and 8.6 averages, respectively. His 569 points scored last season is the third best single-season total in school history. "To be recognized as one of the top seniors in the country is very meaningful."
Chandler is the first San Jose State University men's basketball player to be invited to a post-season all-star event in 17 years and the first to go to the Portsmouth Tournament. The late Ricky Berry participated in the 1988 Aloha Class and the National Association of Basketball Coaches East-West All-Star Game. Sid Williams in 1981 and Chris McNealy in 1983 are the other two San Jose State men's basketball players known to play in a sanctioned major college post-season national tournament or all-star game.