In the undefeated run to the title match of the senior showcase for NBA hopefuls, Ratliffe averaged 12.6 points and 9.6 rebounds over three games.
The performance was the latest in Ratliffe’s impressive offseason, following his college team’s first-round bow to No. 15-seed Norfolk State in the NCAA Tournament. Ratliffe was named the Most Important Player of the West for his 21-point, 10-rebound display at the NABC All-Star Game on March 30 in New Orleans.
The Portsmouth Invitational — which once hosted future NBA greats like John Stockton, Dennis Rodman, Tim Hardaway and Scottie Pippen — invites 64 senior college basketball players from around the country for participation in a four-day, 12-game tournament that showcases skills to on-hand NBA teams.
Currently, Ratliffe is the 60th best prospect for the draft, according to Draftexpress.com.
"For Ratliffe, this is a perfect opportunity," NBA director of scouting Ryan Blake told cardocontinues.com at the start of the tournament. "This is going to help him tremendously, just by showing up."
In the Portsmouth Invitational championship, Ratliffe outdueled a team led by Kyle O’Quinn, the Norfolk State forward.
As reported by The ManEater, Studenet voice of MU
Posted to Sports Blog by Seth Boster at 3:31 p.m., April 15, 2012
