By Anthony Bosco
Marcus Hatten, who led the St. John’s University basketball team to its fifth National Invitational Tournament championship last season, signed a professional contract with the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers, the club announced last week.
Hatten, a 6-foot-1 point guard out of Baltimore by way of Tallahasse Community College, was the Red Storm leader the past two seasons, carrying the team to an NCAA Tournament appearance in the 2001-2002 season as well as the team’s run through the NIT in 2002-2003.
“We are delighted to see Marcus sign as a free agent with the Clippers,” said head coach Mike Jarvis. “He has all the tools to play in the NBA for years to come. Everyone at St. John’s wishes him the best of luck as he embarks on his professional career.”
Hatten, who was named 2003 NIT Most valuable Player and a First Team All-Big East Conference selection, averaged 22.2 points per game during his senior campaign, breaking the conference scoring record previously held by current NBA standout and former Georgetown Hoya Allen Iverson.
The Baltimore product also averaged 5.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 32 games during his senior year. Hatten worked out with several NBA teams, including the New York Knicks, prior to the most recent NBA Draft, held in June.
Still, while many experts predicted Hatten would be a late first-round or an early second round selection in the draft, the Storm star was not picked at all.
Hatten played as a free agent for the Clippers in the 2003 Summer Pro League in Long Beach, Ca., averaging 8.0 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists in seven games. His performance was clearly enough to keep the Clippers interested.
“He’s gotten further already than most kids,” Jarvis said. “It’s really up to Marcus right now. I really believe if he puts all his energy on making it as an NBA player, he can do it.”
The Clippers have several guards with whom Hatten will have to compete with for playing time if he makes the final roster for the upcoming season. One of the players with whom he will battle for floor time will be Eddie House, who signed with the Clippers on the same day as Hatten. House played with the Miami Heat last season, averaging 7.5 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.6 assist.
House, who is more of a two-guard, joins a backcourt that also includes Keyon Dooling, Marko Jaric, Quentin Richardson and swingman Corey Maggette. Queens native Lamar Odom is also a member of Clippers roster, but may never play with Hatten, having signed an offer sheet with the Heat.
The Clippers open the 2003-2004 preseason schedule Tuesday, Oct. 7 against the Sacramento Kings. The regular season begins Oct. 30 at Seattle.
Reach Sports Editor Anthony Bosco by e-mail at TimesLedger@aol.com or call 718-229-0300, Ext. 130.
