Top 5 Centers in the West Coast Conference
By Josh Horton
Nov 20, 2011; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Pilots center Thomas van der Mars (12) defends Washington State Cougars guard Reggie Moore (1) during the second half at the Chiles Center. The Cougars won 83-73. Mandatory Credit: Jim Z. Rider
No. 2- Thomas van der Mars (Portland)
By David Thompson
Coach Eric Reveno has a reputation of being a great big-man coach. He’s coached up some very solid and productive post players in his tenure at Portland. Junior Thomas Van Der Mars is looking to be added to that list by the time his time at UP is over. The 6-11 Netherlands native has a sneaky good back to the basket game and shows flashes of being a force on the offensive end. He averaged just 7.9 points and 5.5 rebounds a game during his Sophomore season but again there were flashes of more. Over a seven game stretch in February last season Van Der Mars averaged 13.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks. This season Van Der Mars will be featured in a very deep Frontcourt featured All-WCC honorable mention Ryan Nicholas, 6-10 Riley Barker, and West Virginia transfer Volodymyr Gerun.