UNCW'S WYRICK SHINES FOR PRO SCOUTS
WILMINGTON, N.C. – Former UNC Wilmington standout Beckham Wyrick led his team in rebounding and ranked fourth in scoring at the recent VCU SportsCenter Invitational Showcase, a three-day basketball tournament designed to display the talents of college graduates hoping to land a professional contract.
The round robin tournament, held May 30-June 1 at VCU's Siegel Center in Richmond, Va., was staged for the fourth year and allowed Wyrick to gain additional exposure.
“It was fun to play in the tournament in Richmond,” said Wyrick, a Cincinnati product. “I enjoyed playing with some fellow CAA players and other guys from different programs. I played well and got my name out to the overseas scouts, so we will see what comes next.”
Wyrick's team, coincidentally named VCU SportsCenter, wound up with a 3-1 record in the event and he averaged 12.5 points and 8.5 rebounds during the competition. Wyrick plans to visit Las Vegas June 27-29 for another invitational.
Wyrick played 17 minutes and scored 19 points in the tourney opener as his club carved out a 103-84 victory over Team Reebok. Virginia Union's Lantrice Green was high man for the winners with 25 markers.
The SportsCenter team played twice on the second day of the event, edging Team Hypertension, 95-93, in a thriller before suffering its only loss, 97-95, to Costen Floors. Wyrick poured in 20 points in the win earlier in the day and contributed four points, 10 rebounds and three steals in the defeat to Costen Floors.
Wyrick's club then closed out the tournament with a 121-107 romp over Richmond Visitors and Convention Bureau, draining 57.8 percent from 3-point range on 26-of-45 behind the arc.
The CAA was well represented at the tournament and featured Jeremiah King (Drexel), Isaiah Hunter (Old Dominion), Rulon Washington (Delaware), Herman Favors (Georgia State), and Lawrence Hamm (Towson). Other regional players who attended included Corey Rouse (ECU), Kevin Steenberge (Richmond), and Pele Paelay (Coastal Carolina).
Wyrick received his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration last month. He led the Seahawks to CAA titles in 2003 and 2006, collecting several honors along the way. In 2005-06, he was named to the CAA's All-Academic Team, All-CAA Tournament Team, NACDA Division I-AAA Scholar-Athlete Team after starting all 33 games for UNCW's 25-8 team.
The VCU SportsCenter Invitational is solely organized and managed by the VCU SportsCenter, a graduate program for sport leadership. It gives players who have completed their eligibility an opportunity to be evaluated by professional scouts from the NBA, NBDL, and European professional clubs. More than 150 players have signed contracts with various teams overseas.
