Goodwill may be in Marion's future

No matter what happens this week, Shawn Marion figures to come out ahead.

If he makes the USA Basketball squad which will compete in the Goodwill Games in New York July 19-24, he obviously realizes a dream few players do -- represent his country in international competition.

If the 6-foot-7 forward, who will play for UNLV this fall, fails to earn one of the 12 spots on Clem Haskins' roster, he will at least have a head start on his major-college career.

"I'm looking forward to it," Marion said of final tryouts which began today at Williams Arena on the University of Minnesota campus and run through Sunday. "I'm just going to do what I did in Colorado (Springs) -- work hard and try and have fun."

The former Vincennes (Ind.) University star made a favorable impression in late May at the initial tryout camp, going from an alternate to one of the 17 survivors from a group of 30. When he got to Colorado Springs (as the lone JC invitee), nobody knew who he was.

But once play began, Marion caught everyone's attention.

"This young man has a great upside," Haskins said after the initial cuts were made. "I like his future. He's a great player and he'll be a pro. He's a great three man."

Added St. Joseph's coach Phil Martelli, who is one of Haskins' assistants on the Goodwill Games squad: "He was dynamic. He played with great energy. He was involved in every play and he showed a knack for scoring.

"The other thing I liked about Shawn was how he fit in. He had a real positive attitude and I thought he showed some leadership qualities."

Martelli said NBA scouts in attendance weren't surprised.

"They weren't caught off-guard like the rest of us," he said. "They seemed to know a lot about him."

Whether Marion can clear the final hurdle will depend on whether he can maintain his high level of play. There's a lot of competition at the small forward spot with six players vying for three spots on a 12-man roster.

Marion is battling Oklahoma's Billy Humphrey, Xavier's James Posey, Georgia Tech's Dion Glover and Georgia's Jermaine Jones.

He also may be battling politics. The sixth player in the running at small forward is Quincy Lewis, who plays for Haskins at Minnesota.

"It's going to be tough for him," UNLV coach Bill Bayno said. "I just hope he plays so well that they have no choice but to take him."

Marion didn't seem too concerned.

"I think I'll get a fair shake," he said.

Just to make sure, he has been working out with some NBA players, including the Boston Celtics' Antoine Walker and the Dallas Mavericks' Michael Finley, in pickup games in Chicago.

"I want to make sure I'm ready," Marion said.

Marion has one more bit of motivation to make the team.

"I like the idea of being on TV," he said of the tournament, which will be televised nationwide on the Turner Network. "Not too many people know what I can do."

But the people who make the decisions at USA Basketball now know what Marion can do.

"He deserves to be going (to Minnesota)," Martelli said. "Whether he's going to make the final cut or not, I don't know. But to me, there's no question he belongs with this group of players we've brought in."

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