April 1, 2011
Click here for more information on the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament
Box Scores from the P.I.T. will be posted here
(Saunders is on the Portsmouth Partnership and Clark is on the Portsmouth Sports Club)
PITTSBURGH - Duquesne seniors Damian Saunders (Waterbury, Conn./Notre Dame Prep) and Bill Clark (Redondo Beach, Calif./Worcester Academy) are among 64 college seniors who have been selected to participate in the 59th annual Portsmouth Invitational Tournament it was announced today.
The P.I.T., which is routinely attended by representatives from all 30 NBA teams as well as a number international scouts, is the only post-season event for college seniors prior to the NBA Pre-Draft Camp and the only post-season event to include game competition.
Fifty-seven former P.I.T. players are on NBA rosters with many others in the top leagues in Europe.
The tournament, which follows a four-day, 12-game format, runs from April 6-9.
"Damian and Billy played a major role in building a strong foundation for our program," said Duquesne head coach Ron Everhart of the duo who were part of a senior class that was the first since 1972-75 to not experience a losing season. "They've both worked extremely hard to earn this opportunity. I know they will represent the University and the Atlantic 10 very well."
Saunders and Clark, who rank first and second in career games played with 127 and 126 respectively, led Duquesne to a 19-13 record and tied for fourth place finish in the Atlantic 10 in 2011. The duo helped the Dukes to the school's first post-conference tournament win since 1994 with an 87-76 victory at Montana in the first round of the College Basketball Invitational.
Saunders, the only player in NCAA history with over 250 assists (281), blocks (300) and steals (277), is a two-time Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year (2010 & 2011). The 6-7 Waterbury, Conn. native finished his career as Duquesne's all-time leader in blocks, steals, games played, games started (116) and dunks (166). His 1,511 points rank 11th and his 1,019 rebounds are third-best on DU's all-time lists. Saunders ranks in the top 10 on Atlantic 10 lists for career blocks (8th), steals (9th) and rebounds (9th).
Saunders had 84 blocks and 72 steals while averaging 12.6 points and 7.9 rebounds per game in 2011.
Clark, who led Duquesne in scoring at 16.3 ppg., finished his career seventh on the all-time scoring list with 1,628 points. His 227 career 3-pointers were the third-most in school history. The 6-5 California native also pulled down 680 career rebounds - good for tenth on DU's all-time list.
Saunders and Clark, who were both named second team All-Atlantic 10, are the second and third Duquesne players to earn an invitation to Portsmouth in the past three years. Aaron Jackson, who is currently starring for Bizkaia Bilbao of the Spanish ACB, participated in the 2009 tournament.
