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Battle has worked out three times for the Toronto Raptors, and one time for the Detroit Pistons and Houston Rockets. He was also invited to the Portsmouth (Virginia) Invitational Tournament in April, performing in front of scouts from all 30 NBA teams alongside 63 other college seniors.

Bortz has worked out for the Raptors, Pistons, Rockets, Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers.

The NBA draft begins at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and is closely followed by a period of free-agent signing.

Turner Battle

Battle, a 6-foot-3 point guard, was tabbed as the Mid-American Conference Player of the Year last season. He led the Bulls with averages of 15.5 points and 4.4 assists per game, also earning honorable mention All-America status from the Associated Press.

Bortz averaged 10.4 points and 5.8 rebounds last season, and led the Bulls with 41 blocks. Additionally, the 6-10, 255-pound post player was named the MAC’s Sixth Man of the Year.

Mark Bortz

The only UB player ever drafted by an NBA team was Bob Vartanian, who was selected by the Buffalo Braves in the 13th round (184th overall) of the 1973 draft.

Sam Pellom was the last former Bulls player to suit up in the NBA. He spent four seasons in the league between 1979-83, averaging 4.4 points and 3.5 rebounds over 196 games with the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks.

Recently three former UB players have played professionally overseas – another option for Battle and Bortz.

Darcel Williams signed with a Belgian club in 2002, while classmates Robert Brown and Louis Campbell continue to play.

Brown played for the Townsville Crocodiles in Australia last season, while Campbell suited up for the Giessen 46ers – a German club.

Twelve players from the MAC played in the NBA last season, including the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Wally Szczerbiak – a graduate of Miami.

Two MAC players were drafted in 2003. Central Michigan’s Chris Kaman was taken with the sixth-overall pick by the Clippers, while Ohio’s Brandon Hunter went to the Celtics in the second round (56th overall).

Though no one from the MAC was selected last season, Kent State’s John Edwards signed on with the Indiana Pacers. He started one game and played in 25, averaging 1.2 points per contest.