Geoff Owens `01 was invited to sixers' camp

Former Quaker Geoff Owens may be sprinting down the court on Allen Iverson's side next winter.

The Philadelphia 76ers invited the College '01 graduate and three-time All-Ivy player to their camp for pro free agents, which began yesterday.

And if Owens is as swift on the court as he has been in the past five years, he'll make the big times -- the NBA.

Owens spent the past year playing in Europe with the Notec Inowroclaw, a Polish basketball team in the National Basketball Development League.

At the time of his graduation from Penn, Owens had blocked 195 shots, making him the all-time career leader. With 53.8 field goals, Owens also holds the ninth highest percentage of field goals. While at Penn, he held the top spot in rebounding and field goal percentage for a time.

During his tenure at Penn, Owens also joined his fellow Quakers as they claimed two Ivy League championships. He averaged 8.3 points and 6.3 rebounds during the four seasons he played at the Palestra.

The 76ers' three day mini-camp began Wednesday, May 29 and will end Friday, May 30. The pro-basketball team holds the camp at their practice facility at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. 19 other players joined Owens in the race for a spot on the Philadelphia roster.

Whether he makes the grade or not, Owens is enthusiastic about the camp, as he reported to the 76s Media on its Web Site.

"This will hopefully make me better. I want to give a good effort here for three or four days and see where I am. It's almost like a test to see if I am ready," said Owens. "If not, go back overseas or go somewhere else. I am going to keep working to reach my goal."

But Owens' quick wits, deft hands and agile feet are sure to score him point both on and off the court.

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