John Cox to Play in Portsmouth Invitational This Week

April 5, 2005

John Cox is one of 64 of the nation's top men's basketball players who will participate in the 53rd annual Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, scheduled for Wednesday through Saturday at Churchland High School in Portsmouth, Va.

Cox, named all-WCC for the second time this season, led the West Coast Conference in scoring (20.0 ppg.) and finished eighth on the all-time USF career scoring list with 1,540 points. He was a key player in USF's march to a postseason NIT berth.

In its 53rd year, Portsmouth Invitational is the only post-season event prior to Chicago Draft Camp and is expected to have approximately 200 National Basketball Association (NBA) representatives in attendance. The mission of tournament is to provide exciting basketball, give players an opportunity to be evaluated by the NBA and to provide scholarships to high school student athletes.

Cox will play on the MD Designs squad, along with Ivan McFarlin of Oklahoma State, Jason Maxiell of Cincinnati, Carlos Dixon of Virginia Tech and Will Conroy of Washington. Other WCC players in the tournament are Brandon Gay (USD), Glen McGowan (Pepperdine), Paul Marigney (SMC), and Doron Perkins (SCU).

Tournament rosters are available at:  http://www.portsmouthinvitational.com/rosters.html

RODNEY TENTION NAMED LOYOLA MARYMOUNT HEAD COACH

Former USF basketball team captain and point guard Rodney Tention has been named head basketball coach at Loyola Marymount University.

Tention played at USF during the return to basketball team (1985-86) through the 1987-88 seasons. He averaged 10.5 points and 4.3 rebounds under head coach Jim Brovelli and earned his degree in 1988.

He was head coach at the College of Notre Dame from 1991-94 before becoming an assistant to Lute Olson for the past eight seasons.