Representin' well in the NBAFormer Tennessee State ('88) and current Miami Heat star Anthony Mason was the only black college product playing in Sunday's NBA All-Star Game but he was hardly the only one deserving of selection or the only one around for the festivities. The 34-year old Mason, who was selected to his first all-star team as a reserve, was made a starter when both Grant Hill and teammate Alonzo Mourning could not play because of injuries. Mason did not score but grabbed four rebounds as his East Division all-stars came from 21 points down to defeat the West, 111-110. Mason's 15.5 points per game is the 48th best average in the league and he adds 9.6 rebounds per game for the Heat which places him 16th among the league's board men. Also among league leaders and a legitimate all-star candidate is Fayetteville State ('91) product Darrell Armstrong of Orlando. Armstrong became the Magic's captain and floor leader last season. This year the former two-time CIAA slam dunk champion and 1999 NBA Sixth Man and Most Improved Player Awards winner has established himself as one of the league's best playmakers. He's averaged 16.3 points per game this year, better numbers than a host of better known point guards like all-star Jason Kidd, Tim Hardaway, Andre Miller or Mike Bibby. He has also handed out 6.7 assists per game, 14th best in the league, while shooting .877 from the free throw line, ninth best in the NBA. But he's not the only other one making some noise. Former Virginia Union ('96) and CIAA standout, Ben Wallace, is now doing yeoman work for the Detroit Pistons. The 6-9 Wallace has taken up where bad-boy Dennis Rodman left off swiping the boards to the tune of 11.7 caroms per game, fifth best in the league. He's also 29th in the league in blocked shots (1.74 per game). Never mind his 6.0 points per game average or 28% shooting from the free throw line. Wallace is paid to pound the glass and play defense and that's what he's doing. Also emerging this year is former Delaware State ('91) guard Emanual Davis who has found his way into the starting line-up of the Seattle Supersonics. Apparently, Davis' 6.0 points per game and 2.1 assists perfectly compliments star guard Gary Payton in coach Nate McMillan's scheme. This is not the first time Davis has found a niche with an NBA team. Much like Armstrong, Davis was undrafted and earned his stripes playing in just about every league both here and abroad before getting his chance with Houston in the 96-97 season. Davis was the 1995-96 CBA defensive player of the year and averaged 24 ppg., in the 1994 CBA playoffs. Not to be left out of the mix is another Virginia Union ('85) product, Toronto's Charles Oakley. Oakley is the dean of black college products now playing in his 15th season. He's also a veteran all-star if only on the party circuit where his party is always one of the most anticipated affairs. Oakley's not doing so bad for an old guy. He's averaging 9.8 rebounds per game, 12th best in the league while protecting young star Vince Carter of the Raptors. Darrel Armstrong 6-1, G, Orlando (Fayetteville State, '91) Emanual Davis 6-5, G, Seattle (Delaware State, '91) Terry Davis 6-9, C, Denver (Virginia Union, '89) Lindsey Hunter 6-2, G, Milwaukee, (Jackson State. '93) Avery Johnson 5-11, G, San Antonio (Southern, '88) Anthony Mason 6-8, F, Miami, (Tennessee State, '88) Charles Oakley 6-8, F, New York (Virginia Union, '85) Carlos Rogers 6-11, F, Houston, (Tennessee State. '94) Ben Wallace 6-9, F, Detroit (Virginia Union, '96) © 2001 Azeez Communications, Inc.
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