The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Three Blazers Set To Play In All-Star Game
4/6/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
April 6, 2009
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Senior UAB basketball players Paul Delaney III, Lawrence Kinnard and Robert Vaden have been invited to compete at the annual Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, which showcases the top collegiate seniors in the nation over a four-day span (April 8-11, 2009). It marks the first time in school history three Blazer teammates will compete in the annual event.
The Portsmouth Invitational gathers 64 of the best college basketball players (seniors) from across the nation to participate in a four-day, 12-game tournament in front of representatives from every NBA team. This year's event marks the 56th consecutive year Portsmouth has conducted the tournament.
"This is a great honor for Robert, Paul and Lawrence," UAB head coach Mike Davis said. "All three have had terrific careers and each is deserving of playing in a terrific event like the Portsmouth Invitational. I am pleased they have been recognized this way."
Vaden, a two-time all-conference honoree and 2008 C-USA Newcomer of the Year, led Conference USA this past season in three pointers made a game (3.29) and total three made (112). He finished the year fifth in the league with 17.6 points per game, while adding 5.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.
Vaden, who transferred from Indiana and played two seasons at UAB, became the fastest player in UAB history to reach the 1,000-point plateau, reaching the feat in his 50th game as a Blazer. The NABC All-Region second-team performer also set single-season school records for points (695), threes made (142) and threes attempted (355) in 2007-08.
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Delaney closed his career with 1,404 points, which ranks ninth on the school's all-time scoring list. He also became only the second player in school history to reach 1,000 points (1,404), 400 rebounds (461) and 300 assists (364) in his career (Stanley Jackson). Earlier this season, he recorded the second triple-double in program history in the win over Tulane (2/4), with 16 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds.
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Kinnard finished his career with 1,413 points, which rank him eighth among the school's all-time leaders. He also became just the second player in school history to record at least 1,000 points and 700 (806) rebounds in a career (Jerome Mincy).
