West Coast Convo’s All-WCC Second Team
By Josh Horton
March 6, 2013; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Portland Pilots center Thomas van der Mars (12) during player introductions against the Loyola Marymount Lions before the game of the WCC Basketball Championships at Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Thomas van der Mars – Center – Portland
You would be hard pressed to find a more improved player from last season than Portland junior center Thomas van der Mars.
Last season, it was Ryan Nicholas’ show in the Pilots frontcourt, with Van der Mars just along for the ride. The Dutch big man always showed potential, but it was unclear if he would break out, especially having to share touches with Nicholas.
Van der Mars blossomed this season and he and Nicholas formed into one of the best frontcourt’s in not only the conference, but the whole West Coast.
If you are looking for efficiency, look no further than Van der Mars. The junior center was fantastic around the tin this season, as Van der Mars shots 60.2 percent from the field this season, the 29th best percentage in all of college basketball. Van der Mars also had some enormous games for the Pilots this season, such as his 27 point and 18 rebound performance versus BYU and his 22 point, 17 rebound contribution at Saint Mary’s.