Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Siena's Rossiter Set for Portsmouth Showcase

Siena's Ryan Rossiter gets to showcase his abilities before NBA scouts as well as representatives of overseas' leagues beginning today in the Portsmouth (Va.) Invitational Tournament.

Rossiter, the 6-foot-9, 260-pounder center was the MAAC's Player of the Year this season, and was the nation's No. 2 rebounder, is the only player from the conference participating in the event that traditionally features players on the borderline of the two-round NBA draft.

Teams have eight-man rosters, which ensures each participants gets significant amounts of playing time. And, each team is guaranteed a minimum of three games over the first three days with as teams attempt to advance to Saturday's championship round of play.

Rossiter will play for the Portsmouth Partnership team and, coincidentally, will play against an Albany, N.Y., area native Talor Battle (Penn State) in a first-round contest.

Rossiter is seeking to become the second Siena player to ever make an NBA roster (Kenny Hasbrouck signed two 10-day contnracts in the 2009-10 season with Miami, but never appeared in a game), but also understands he will be an attractive candidate to play in overseas, too.

"My first goal is obviously the NBA, and that's where I want to be next season," Rossiter told the Albany Times-Union newspaper recently. "But there are a ton of European contracts that are going to be there (at the Portsmouth event). Word of mouth is so big, so you just want to put up a good per5formance regardless of who's in the stands.

Siena coach Mitch Buonaguro accompanied Rossiter to Portsmouth.

"I think it's going to be very important that he rebounds well," Buonaguro told the T-U. "I think that's something that is piquing the interest of the NBA people, is his ability to rebound. If he plays good defense, he's aggressive and rebounds, he'll get noticed."

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