Combine Provides Exposure in B’More

Ron Bailey, Publisher

Professoinal-eligible players did their thing in Charm City.

July 28, 2010 – Last Sunday Carmello Anthony’s sports and learning facility in East Baltimore was the site for Performance Sports Management’s 2010 Baltimore Showcase, an all day slate of games designed to provide exposure for players capable of playing in the professional ranks. Pro teams took advantage of the operation, including among others the National Basketball Association’s Washington Wizards and New York Knicks, along with minor league squads Springfield Armor (NBA Developmental League), Al-Ahli (Middle East), and the Premier Basketball League’s Maryland Green Hawks and Rochester Razorsharks.

The Baltimore Showcase, developed and managed in large part by Noam Fishman – his stated reason for doing so being “To get guys jobs” - had 70 participants ranging from recent college grads to grizzled professional players. More from Fishman on the event: “All of the owners-coaches-scouts-GM’s that were there found the event productive and worthwhile. They were impressed with the talent…Therefore I am pleased”.

Paul Kirkpatrick, a recent graduate of Howard University who majored in sports medicine felt similarly, noting via text recently "I enjoyed the Showcase; great talent and competition. Thanks to everyone at Performance Sports Management. I hope to get some looks from it, but it was a good experience and opportunity overall".

Following are evaluations of a few participants.

Lasunza Tubbs – Oxnard (JC), 6’3”, 200 lbs, shooting guard – Good guard that can hit mid-range jumpers. Has good understanding of the game. Needs to work on handle. A guy from ‘The D’ (Detroit).

Jai Lewis – George Mason, Philippines, 6’6”, 290 lbs, forward/center – Though his conditioning could have been better, Lewis played with force around the rim, rebounded and ran the floor. A B’More dude.

Khalil Hartwell punishes the rim.

Demetrius Graham – Clarion (D2), 5’7”, 170 lbs, point guard – Graham is a push man that must develop and trust his jumper. Shows leadership and applies solid on ball pressure. Can handle it as well. Calls Detroit home.

Camontae Griffin – St. Mary’s (D3), 5’9”, 160 lbs, scoring guard - Athletic scoring guard can be exciting. Likes to only go right.

Mukole Tshimuanga – Howard University, 6’6”, 220 lbs, forward – Recent Howard graduate is strong, aggressive and a good rebounder. Has to develop more perimeter skills.

Khalil Hartwell – Chattanooga, 6’8”, 240 lb, center – The combine’s most impressive inside player, Hartwell blocked shots, finished hard and played solidly around the cup including showing a good jump hook. His jumper needs improvement. Hails from South Philly.

Chris Seaborn – UMBC, 6’7”, 200 lbs, forward – Long and active, Chris can face/attack and is good around the rim. Needs to extend his jumper to maximize potential. From Philly.

Byron Diaz – San Francisco, Bonn (Germany), 6’2”, 190 lb, point guard – Pass first lead guard is heady and likes to talk. Seems to shy away from shooting. Is a Cali guy.

Steffon Farley – 6’6” 200 lbs, forward – A tremendous floor runner and dunker, Farley also showed a left handed flip hook (he’s right handed) and solid mid-range shooting. Ball handling is an issue.

Dewones Smith contests Lasunza Tubbs' layup, while Demetrius Graham looks on.

Garry Beverley – 6’7”, 210 lbs, forward – With the skill set of a power forward that is long and can finish – Beverley didn’t show an ability to consistently hit jumpshots.

Roy Bright – 6’5”, 230 lbs, forward – Bright is a strong interior player who loves to bang and rebound. With his height, he must shoot and pat the rock at a higher level.

Dewones Smith – 6’4”, 190 lbs, swingman – Smith is a slasher that can pat in the halfcourt allowing him to attack the cup. He’s a streaky shooter that will tickle the twine from deep and lets defenders know about it, despite a release in which the ball is let go forehead level. Has to concentrate on defense and strengthen his dribbling. Hails from Mississippi.

Paul Kirkpatrick explodes through contact.

Paul Kirkpatrick – 6’10”, 220 lbs, forward/center – Long and fairly athletic, Paul excelled at running the floor, rebounding and finishing. Has to display more confidence with moves out to mid-range and get stronger. Baltimore guy.

Brandon Russell – Lincoln University/Bowie State, 6’4”, 190 lbs, swingman – Russell can jump/finish and is a solid shooter. The state of his handle is unknown.

Jerome Habel – 6’10”, 210 lbs, center/forward – Skilled, capable of hitting shots out to mid-range (including back to the basket moves), pass and run the floor, Habel is more of a finesse guy, one that must be more physical and play hard consistently. Montgomery County, Maryland player.

Randy Gill – 6’2”, 180 lbs, guard – Known as ‘White Chocolate’ on the DC summer hoops scene, Gill has an ability to make plays like hit shots, drop passes and lead, all while getting under opponent’s skin. Has to work on lateral quickness/conditioning.

Isaiah Swann – Israeli league, 6’3”, 205 lbs, guard – Swann again showed he can score on anyone – long distance jumpers and finishes at the rim – while also patting the rock. Needs to illustrate more of a point guard mentality. Hails from Montgomery County.