Prospect from Ghana is Mavs' man of intrigue

GW-ex Mensah-Bonsu has versatility, desire and chance to impress
The first question to Mavericks summer-camp hopeful Pops Mensah-Bonsu (206-F-83, agency: SportsTalent) is what position, exactly, does he play?

"Basketball," he answers without hesitation. "What position does Josh Howard play? He may be a small forward, but he can guard power forwards, big guards, he can handle the ball.

"I'm a power forward. But in a couple years, I think I could be a small forward."

In the much shorter term, he's on the Mavericks' list of favorites to earn a spot in training camp next fall. Mensah-Bonsu, 22, is a native of Ghana.

But he grew up in London until he was 15, moved to the U.S. and attended George Washington for four seasons. Minor knee surgery interrupted his senior season, which explains why he wasn't drafted last week.

When he wasn't, the Mavericks acted quickly to get him on their summer team. To this day, Mensah-Bonsu doesn't understand how he went undrafted. He has no guarantees from the Mavericks. They have offered him only the chance to impress.

Mensah-Bonsu ? his full name is Nana Papa Yaw Mensah-Bonsu ? is listed at 6-9 but is closer to 6-7.

With a giant wingspan and good hops, Pops can play multiple positions. More important, he can guard multiple positions, which intrigues the Mavericks. And he has the drive to compete.

"He has the inferno inside," said Rolando Blackman, the assistant coach who is coaching the team that will leave for the Las Vegas Summer League on Wednesday. "When you're undersized, you have to have that fire."

Mensah-Bonsu grew up playing soccer. He had a strong rooting interest for Ghana and England in the World Cup.

So how do athletes in London grow up to be basketball players? There's actually a growing line of such creatures. John Amaechi, Luol Deng and Boris Diaw are among them.

The Mavericks hope they have the next one.

"I've been a big fan of their style ever since Steve Nash was here," Mensah-Bonsu said. "And now they've incorporated defense into their style, which is great for me. I can bring that to the table. I can guard a lot of different positions."

He showed his defensive side in an exhibition against the Nigerian national team Saturday when he had three blocked shots. He averaged almost 1.5 blocks per game as a junior and senior at GW.

Briefly: The Mavericks expect to wait until perhaps next week for an answer on Mike James' free-agent decision. They have offered him three years starting at the mid-level exception of better than $5 million. James apparently is waiting to see if somebody offers a longer contract. ... Josh Powell became a father Sunday when his longtime girlfriend gave birth to Patience Powell. The 7-pound girl was named Patience, with mother and daughter doing well. ... The Mavericks are hoping to get West Virginia forward Kevin Pittsnogle to join the summer-league team in Salt Lake City. The sharpshooting big man worked out for the Mavericks and is weighing his options after going undrafted. ... George Lynch expressed an interest to join the Mavericks' summer-league team, but the Mavericks have not heard from him since the initial inquiry.

Ghanian college baller ready to hit St.Louis - Jun. 23, 2006 - by Kristian Santiago Recently signed by NCAA Division II -school Missouri - St. Louis, the son to a Ghanian father and a Nigerian mother is proud to represent the colours of Ghana in the United States. Like many others , his parents came to the US from Africa to earn a better living,and Stanley Boateng (5-11, Point Guard) , who has a twin brother in Julian Boateng (Redshirt at Centr. Connecticut State) grew playing basketball and football when he was a little boy, trying to pull away from all the trouble with in the family (His parents divorced when he was eleven years old).Although being now a father figure to his twin brother and helping his mother the best way he could, the young gun kept on playing basketball and even made it to an AAU travelling team in Rhode Island where the family settled down after an early stint in Chicago.

During his junior year at high school, he averaged 17 ppg , 7 apg ,4 rpg and 3 spg and made a name for himself in the state where he was considered as one of the top 20 players. Even after having such a great season ,he ended up taking his high school to the state championship one year after in his senior year. The school won the state championship the last time 23 years ago and Stanley, who averaged 15, ppg, 9,8 apg, 4 rpg and 4 spg during that time, was named to the all-conference team and the all-academic city's scholar athlete (3.4 GPA) along with numerous other awards. Even though, because Rhode Island isn't known to NCAA D-1 recruiters due to the fact that the state isn't famous for it prep hoops , Stanley got only looks by Division III -schools from around the area. He decided to take his game to a prep school (Wilbraham & Monson Academy in Mass.) , where he averaged 14 ppg and 9 apg during the year, but he still got no offers from bigger schools.He travelled once again and tried his luck at Longwood University, a Division I school, but he saw only limited time in his freshman year.The time was ready for another move and he transferred to Oatkon Community College in Illinois.

There, they gave him a real chance to showcase his skills on a junior college-level , and under coach Steve Pratt, he produced 10,4 ppg, 3,7 rpg and 6,9 apg (Ranked 12th in the nation fro assists) and was named to all-conference , all-region and all-tournament and got this time finally looks by several D-1 schools like Wisconsin Green-Bay , South Dakota or Missouri Kansas-City , but he opted finally for Missouri St. Louis,where basketball-head coach Chris Pilz is impressed of Stanley's past season at Oakton (First Skyway Conference Title in 30 years). "A diamond in the rough" is what Pilz calls Boateng, who was recruited by assistant coach Deryn Carter ,and adds the following statement on the team's website: "Stanley is one of those players that give us a chance to win every night. He understands when to shoot and when to pass. His enthusiasm for the game will affect our team in a positive way. He will be a fun player for our fans to watch and he will be a great fit here at UMSL."

Another stellar season in St.Louis should boost his chances of a pro career later in his life , and hopefully a call-up to a future national team if created. We wish this gifted player with African roots all the best within the next years , and are looking forward to see him in the international basketball scene again !