Ron Baker, Fred VanVleet start post-Wichita State basketball careers

Ron Baker declined an invitation to play in the Portsmouth (Va.) Invitational next month, he said in a text message.

Former Wichita State teammate Fred VanVleet is expected to play, according to Chris Ekstrand of the Portsmouth Invitational selection committee.

The tournament is a professional showcase for 64 college seniors, most of whom are trying to improve their NBA Draft stock and impress teams from overseas. Former Shockers Darius Carter and Garrett Stutz played in recent seasons.

This year’s tournament runs April 13-16 at Churchland High in Portsmouth. Evansville’s D.J. Balentine and Egidijus Mockevicius are also expected to play, according to the Evansville Courier & Press.

Five players who competed last spring were drafted, all in the second round, by an NBA team. That list included Notre Dame’s Pat Connaughton and Bowling Green’s Richaun Holmes.

Baker and VanVleet will play in the National Association of Basketball Coaches Reese’s College All-Star game in Houston at 4:30 p.m. April 1 at NRG Stadium. CBS will show the game at noon April 2. Twenty seniors are selected to play.

Former Shockers Stutz (2013), Jamie Thompson (1967) and Dave Stallworth (1965) previously played in the NABC game.

This story was originally published March 22, 2016 at 3:39 PM with the headline "Ron Baker, Fred VanVleet start post-Wichita State basketball careers."