Colorado University Athletics
Buffs' King Aims To Turn Heads At Portsmouth, NABC All-Star Game
March 23, 2018 | Men's Basketball, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — It was just a year ago that Colorado's Derrick White went from a relative unknown to a potential first round pick in the NBA Draft, a move that was boosted dramatically by his performance at the Portsmouth Invitational.
This year, Colorado's George King hopes to make the same kind of impact at the annual tournament, which features some of the top draft-eligible talent from across the nation.
The 6-foot-6 225-pound King is one of 64 players who will be participating in the April 11-14 Portsmouth event, and he will also have a chance to participate in next Friday's NABC All-Star game in San Antonio, an annual event held each year in the same city as the Final Four that features 20 players whose teams did not earn NCAA Tournament berths.
The NABC game will give King — who played high school ball in San Antonio — the chance to play in front of some old friends, including some who never had the chance to see him play in college.
But it is Portsmouth that offers the chance to catch the eyes of NBA scouts.
"Obviously, Portsmouth is a huge opportunity for me, kind of remind some of the scouts who I am," King said. "Right now I'm kind of being lost in the shuffle with the NCAA tournament. I'm kind of pushed to the back of their heads … Hopefully I can go out there and refresh their memories."
King said he plans on speaking with White about his experience at Portsmouth last year to see if he has any tips on turning scouts' heads.
"That's why I'm working out so hard," King said. "It's not going to be easy. Derrick's a helluva player and that's why he was able to do the things he was able to do out there. (I'm) looking forward to absolutely doing that."
A year ago, King got a taste of what NBA scouts are looking for when he declared himself eligible for the draft — minus an agent — and was able to participate in some predraft workouts. Those workouts gave him an idea of what aspects of his game he needed to improve.
Now, he wants to take that information and apply it to Portsmouth and other workouts he hopes to corner between now and the June 21 draft. His goals are simple.
"Just defend at a high level, obviously shoot the ball — they know I can shoot — but going out and showing that I'm a versatile defender as well and a talented rebounder," King said. "I think if I do those three things, I'll separate myself from a lot of guys because a lot of guys really are just worried about scoring. NBA teams have scorers. One way you can separate yourself is to be out there and stop scorers. I'm excited to go out there and do that, for sure — and obviously show that I can score as well."
King, a second-team all-Pac-12 selection this year, was CU's second-leading scorer, averaging 12.9 points per game, and the Buffs' leading rebounder with 7.8 boards per game. He also was tasked with defending a variety of players, from inside in the post to outside on the wing.
He believes that versatility will be a plus in the eyes of scouts.
"I'm a bigger wing, longer — wingspan, strong, firm body, nice build," King said. "That's why I'm able to switch on screens and not have a problem guarding 6-10 dudes. If they want me on the perimeter or in the post, that's fine."
While most agents want players to work out at the agents' facilities, King has elected to stay in Boulder and work out with English. The former Missouri standout was a second-round pick of the Detroit Pistons in 2012.
"He's letting me know what I'm up against," King said. "He's a guy who went through Portsmouth as well. I'm so blessed to have him in my corner. Not just working me out, but letting me know what's ahead. That's why I'm staying here."
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
