Williams begins possible path to NBA

Saluki senior takes first step at Portsmouth Invitational

Factoid:Fans can keep track of Williams at www.portsmouthinvitational.com. The tournament will conclude Saturday

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Kent Williams has already proved himself to southern Illinois and the Missouri Valley Conference – he is second on the SIU all-time scoring list, a MVC all-conference first-teamer and the captain of a team that won back-to-back Valley championships and made two straight NCAA tournaments.

Now, he has to prove himself all over again to NBA scouts and general managers.

Williams, along with 64 of the nation’s top seniors who are on the fringe of being drafted, will play in the Portsmouth Invitational beginning Wednesday in Portsmouth, Va. The top 15-20 players from the tournament will be invited to the Chicago workouts, giving them a decent shot at being drafted.

Famous alumni of the tournament include Scottie Pippen, John Stockton, Ben Wallace and Tim Hardaway.

Williams will be playing for Sales Systems Ltd. – the sponsor is also the team name – along with Tahj Holden of Maryland, Marcus Hatten of St. Johns, James Jones of Miami, local product Marlon Palmer from Kentucky Wesleyan and three others.

Williams will be running the point for his team, which he said should provide him with the perfect stage for NBA scouts. He does not care if he scores a lot of points or puts up any type of big numbers.

Williams’ goal is to play smart, commit no turnovers and show NBA scouts he has what it takes to play point guard in the NBA.

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“You don’t want to go there and try to do something special and goof up on it or make yourself look stupid,” Williams said. “My main thing is to go in and prove that I can play point guard. That’s what I’ve been told and that’s what they want to see me do.

“Maybe I won’t score as much, but I’m going to try to get everybody involved and show I can handle the ball and handle the pressure.”

Williams has been attempting to train all week, but has been hampered with the prolonged flu dating back to March 31. Despite the illness, he has managed to run, lift weights and play pick-up games with his teammates at the SIU Arena.

Teammates say the illness is not affecting him on the court, so it is unlikely to hamper his performance in Virginia. Many did not even know he had been experiencing health problems.

“He looked the same. He looked fine to me,” said junior Bryan Turner.

Williams said he expects to be healthy by the time his team plays today, but said it is possible he will feel drained. He was in New Orleans at the three-point shooting contest last week, something he said hampered his recovery from the flu.

By the time he gets to Virginia he will have flown more than 3,000 miles in the last week.

Another obstacle for Williams, though he doesn’t feel it will be a major one, will be shooting the NBA three-point shot. Portsmouth uses the NBA three, so Williams has been practicing it all week.

He is not particularly worried about the few extra feet.

“I shoot a lot out there anyway,” Williams said. “I didn’t shoot as much while I was here because coach Weber didn’t care for me shooting out there, but I’ve always had that type of range.

“It’s not a huge difference for me. I feel like I can shoot it just like my regular shot.”

With anything barring a disastrous performance at the tournament, Williams is expected to earn a workout with an NBA team as Rolan Roberts did last season, according to retired SIU Sports Information Director and Saluki guru Fred Huff, who has seen all the Saluki greats come and go.

Though he would not offer a prediction on Williams’ chances of making the NBA, noting that his disbelief when Troy Hudson made it in the NBA disqualifies him from any scouting in that department, said Williams is almost guaranteed a tryout based on his college performances.

“I feel confident Kent’s going to get that. He’s had too many wonderful honors bestowed upon him not to get a tryout.”

Reporter Michael Brenner can be reached at [email protected]