Barea shines at Portsmouth Invitational
April 8, 2006
Portsmouth, Va.

Jose Juan Barea hopes to become Northeastern's first NBA draft pick since 1987.

Senior Jose Juan Barea made a statement this week to NBA scouts in attendance at the 54th annual Portsmouth Invitational Tournament in Portsmouth, Va. The four-day tournament gives 64 college seniors one more opportunity to showcase their talents before the Chicago Draft Camp.

Barea turned in absolutely stellar numbers over three games. He averaged 15.0 points per game, 13.6 assists and 5.6 rebounds, while committing just five turnovers the entire weekend. He set the PIT tournament records for assists in a game (18) and in the tournament (41) and was honored with the Allen Iverson Award for inspiration and effort.

"It was a lot of fun and it was a great tournament," said Barea. "It was good to finally get to meet all those great players, too." Barea hopes to become the Huskies' 15th-ever NBA draft pick, and first since Reggie Lewis, Andre Lafleur and Gerry Corcoran were selected in 1987.

The PIT is the only postseason event prior to the NBA Pre-Draft Camp. The NBA draft will be held at Madison Square Garden on June 28.