Perkins wins MVP of Japanese Super League

By Brian Witter

It may be only a matter of time before another Bronco finds himself in the NBA. Last week, Santa Clara grad and former guard, Doron Perkins, was named Most Valuable Player of the Japanese Basketball League's Super League. Furthermore, Perkins has been invited by the Los Angeles Lakers organization to play in their Summer Pro League later on this year.

After graduating in 2005, Perkins' contributions on the court for Santa Clara did not go unnoticed. The First-Team All-West-Coast-Conference player signed a contract last summer with the Super League's Toyota Alvark, whose roster also includes former college standout and member of the 1995 NCAA champion UCLA Bruins, Charles O'Bannon.

O'Bannon and Perkins led Toyota, who finished with an overall record of 21-5, to the league title on March 25 over OSG Phoenix in a best-of-five-game series. Under first-year head coach John Patrick, it was the second-ever title for Toyota and their first in four years.

Perkins led the league in assists at just under seven a game. In addition to being named league MVP, Perkins was named Guard of the Year, Import Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and also was named to the league's First Team. In the series-winning game, Perkins had a double-double with 19 points, 11 rebounds and six assists.

The year overseas was meant for Perkins to get more experience at the point guard position so that he might be a legitimate force in the NBA, coming off the bench into the backcourt.

If Perkins was to make the Lakers, he would be on the same roster as fellow WCC graduate and former WCC Player of the Year Ronny Turiaf. Last summer, Kyle Bailey, who played guard along with Perkins under Dick Davey, competed in a summer league for the San Antonio Spurs, but was released.

Contact Brian Witter at (408) 551-1918 or bwitter@scu.edu.