PORTSMOUTH (WAVY) – The Portsmouth Invitational Tournament returns for its 66th year, beginning on Wednesday. Some of the top college seniors from around the nation will play in a three-day tournament at Churchland High School, with scouts from NBA and European League teams on hand.
There will be a lot of local interest with Devon Hall, Shannon Evans and Rodney Bullock all set to suit up. Hall, from the University of Virginia, played at Cape Henry Collegiate in Virginia Beach, and will be coached by his father Mark Hall.
Suffolk’s Evans, who played at Nansemond River High School, was a star at Arizona State, while Bullock, who played at Providence, began his career at Kecoughtan High School in Hampton.
Hall’s UVA teammate Isaiah Wilkins, Virginia Tech’s Justin Bibbs, and VCU’s Justin Tillman will all play as well. Aside from the Commonwealth connections, this year’s talent pool is set to be the deepest from top to bottom, says tournament director Mahlon Parker.
“Personally I feel like it’s the best one we’ve ever had top to bottom,” said Parker.
“This year’s PIT I think will go down in history as one where most of the top seniors in the country came and played in it,” said Chris Ekstrand, an NBA consultant who’s been on the sidelines at the PIT for the past several decades.
“This year, there are more bonafied, All-American, Player of the Year, all-conference guys than we’ve ever had.”
The action starts on Wednesday night at Churchland High School, with the first game tipping off at 7:00 pm.
