The Portsmouth Invitational Tournament tips off this week in Virginia, and while it’s not as big of a deal as it used to be, NBA teams can still find talent there.
For instance, New York rookie Landry Fields played in the PIT last season -- and it could be argued the Knicks guard and second-round draft choice put together a better first season than No. 1 overall pick John Wall of Washington.
If nothing else, Fields was clearly better than Philadelphia guard Evan Turner, the second overall pick.
Portsmouth is limited to college seniors, many of whom are expected to be selected in the second round -- and are trying to play their way into the first.
Others, meanwhile, turn down invitations to Portsmouth, perhaps to keep their stock from dropping. Those type of players will instead try to impress NBA teams during pre-draft individual workouts.
Cleveland State’s Norris Cole and Ohio State’s David Lighty, for example, both declined invites from Portsmouth. Ohio State’s Jon Diebler, on the other hand, will participate.
Anyway, the PIT consists of eight teams and runs Wednesday through Saturday. I’ll be providing daily updates in this very space all week. For now, here are some names you may know that are taking part:
* Jon Diebler, 6-6, G/F, Ohio State
* Matt Howard, 6-8, F, Butler
* Josh Harrelson, 6-10, F/C, Kentucky
* Mike Tisdale, 7-1, C, Illinois
* Mike Davis, 6-9, F, Illinois
* Talor Battle, 6-0, G, Penn State
* Durrell Summers, 6-5, G, Michigan State
* Jacob Pullen, 6-0, G, Kansas State
* Brad Wanamaker, 6-4, G, Pittsburgh
* Austin Freeman, 6-3, G, Georgetown
* Chris Wright, 6-1, G, Georgetown
* Jeremy Hazell,6-5, G, Seton Hall
* Casey Mitchell, 6-4, G, West Virginia
* LaceDarius Dunn, 6-4, G, Baylor
* Jamie Skeen, 6-9, F, Virginia Commonwealth
* Jeff Allen, 6-7, F, Virginia Tech
* Gary Johnson, 6-6, F, Texas
* Luke Sikma, 6-8, F, Portland
* Malcom Thomas, 6-9, F, San Diego State
* Tracy Smith, 6-8, F, NC State
