Tag: Mississippi State Basketball

Portsmouth Invitational 2024 Day 1 Recap

PIT 2024 Day 1 Recap

The 70th annual Portsmouth Invitational has begun!!! The first two games were very sloppy to start. But, Hey thats to be expected when you are playing with new teammates, in a high school gym, in front of hundreds of executives from the NBA, to Italy, Germany,South Korea, Greece etc.

Players That Impressed

Tolu Smith III Miss. State 6’11 245 C

Smith is a very physical presence on the block. If he was in the paint he would physical make sure he moved you under the basket to get the closest finish possible. He ran the floor well and showed solid mobility overall. Being matched up against Joel Sopriano was a fun watch. Smith finished with 18 points and six rebounds.

Tristan Enaruna Cleveland St. 6’8 219 F

Enarauna showcased versatility on both ends. He has a solid pro ready body with some length. He knocked down a couple of three’s. Showed an ability to hit the mid range and can slash or play in the post. Tristan didn’t force anything, he just took what was given and and played an extremely efficient game. He also provided a nice highlight tip slam. https://twitter.com/PIT_Basketball/status/1780751379914486231

Courtesy of the official Portsmouth Invitational twitter handle @PIT_Basketball twitter

Tristan was the best NBA and pro prospect that played tonight. Yes, it was just one game….. That’s why I said tonight. He finished with 25 point, on 9-14 shooting, 2-4 from three, three rebounds and two blocks.

Tyler Burton Villanova 6’7 215 G/F

Burton struggled to get involved early, but found his footing in the second half. He showed versatility on both ends. He can initiate the offense or play off the ball. He’s a guy that does whatever his team needs him to. He also rebounds extremely well.

Aaron Estrada Alabama 6’4 195 Combo

Estrada showed an ability to lead an offense. He has a great feel in the 2 man game. Knows when to be patient and wait for the roll, or attack the defender. Solid ball handler with very good vision. Estrada was at his best when attacking on the fast break. He is very tough to stop from penetrating the lane and is a crafty left handed finisher around the rim. I’m a fan of his. He had 12 points, four rebounds and four assists.

Joel Soriano St. John’s 6’11 250 C

Big fan of Big Joel. He showed some offensive versatility today. We all know he can finish around the rim and in the paint. He also made a three today and it didn’t look bad. He only made seven his entire 5 year college career, BUT all seven were this year. He can definitely keep working on this and add this to his reportoire. Joel showed soft hand in the paint with nice touch as well. Knocked down a couple of mid range fades also. When he elevates his release is super high and tough to block. Big Joel had 28 points and twelve rebounds.

Jarod Lucas Nevada 6’4 195 SG

Lucas is a scorer. He can score at all three levels, but is more comfortable outside of the paint. Quick first step off the dribble. Likes the p/up jumper. Ball handling is ok. Very conssistent three point shooter. I want to see if he can defend at the next level. Also, can he consistently create for himself and others?

Eric Gaines UAB 6’2 160 PG

Gaines is a thin athletic playmaker. He is unselfish and knows how to run the show. He had 10 points, 10 assists and 4 rebounds. Anytime you have ten assists to three turnovers you’re doing you job. Especially in a showcase tournament.

Isaac Jones Washington St. 6’8 235 PF

Jones was all over the paint. He’s very physical and an explosive athlete. He will always finish with dunks. Very long arms. I want to see some more offensive versatility from him throughout the week.

Players That Struggled

AJ Hoggard Mich. State 6’3 215 Combo

Hoggard didn’t make an impact. In college he did a little bit of everything. This can be a tough setting to really stand out and show your skills. He finished with four points on 1-8 shooting.

Drew Pember UNC Ashville 6’11 225 F/C

Drew was 1-5 from three, with five rebounds. If he’s not making three’s at the next level can he add enough other value?

Tyson Walker Mich. State 6’0 175 PG

Much like his fellow Spartan he struggled to make an impact. Walker just didn’t take charge like I expected him to. He had six points, four rebounds and three assists……. But, lacked confidence or assertiveness.

Eric Dixon Villanova 6’8 260 PF

Dixon struggled shooting. He seemed way too content shooting three’s. And tough ones at that. He shot 3-11 overall and 0-5 from three. Dixon had 9 points, five rebounds and three assists. I would like to see him more assertive in the mid post.

Things I Enjoyed Today

Watching Tolu Smith III and Joel Soriano battle. Two of the more physical specimens here. And they went back and forth.

Tristan Enaruna’s versatility

Aaron Estrada running an offense

The Most Impressive Thing Today

How absolutely annoying Santiago Vescovi is on defense. I would hate to bring the ball up the court against him. Keep it up Santiago. Keep being annoying!

Portsmouth Invitational Day 1 Notes

Day 1 Notes From The Portsmouth Invitational

PIT WE BACK!!!

Following two straight cancellations. We are finally getting another PIT. This is by far my favorite even of the year. I love how it’s a showcase for seniors that may be “under the radar” or not “top” prospects for the NBA. A few of these guys may be drafted. But……. All of theses guys will be playing pro basketball at some level next year if they chose to do so. It’s the ultimate job interview.

I just want to highlight some players that stood out to me good or bad in the first day of the PIT.

Good

Jared Rhoden 6’6 210 G/F From Seton Hall

Rhoden played very well. Made some tough shots in iso situations. Showed a nice m/r jumper and also an ability to attack off the dribble. Love his body and size also.

Keve Aluma 6’8 235 PF From Virginia Tech

Aluma showed versatility as a scorer. He can hit the p/pop jumper from 3 and the m/r. He also showed the ability to score in the post with his r/hook. On defense he showed solid lateral movement as well.

Fatts bringing the ball up the court

Fatts Russell 5’11 165 PG From Maryland

Russell showed how he can be very dangerous when attacking the lane under control. He kicked out to open shooters countless times. He was also hitting his 3pt shots as well. When Russell finds the balance of when to pass and when to score he is a solid athletic PG. Now he still loves to gamble on defense, but thats just in his DNA.

JD Notae 6’2 190 G From Arkansas

Notae is electric. He can be erratic at times, but tonight he attacked off the dribble more often that shooting deep 3’s. He got to the rim often and creates space very well off the dribble. I look forward to what else he can do the next few days.

Garrison Brooks 6’9 230 PF From Mississippi State

Brooks dominated in the mid to deep post. He has a solid jump shot. Despite the fact his arc almost touches the ceiling of the gym its intoxicating to watch. Brooks showed the ability to hit the m/r jumper and showcased his much improved 3pt range. Physically he is tough as well on offense and defense. He was definitely one of the most impressive standouts.

Bad

The first few minutes of the first game were rough. Tons of turnovers. Missed shots, air balls etc. It’s expected, but thankfully it got better.

The amount of times players stepped out of bounds looking to pump fake a 3 then drive.

Make your ft’s.

Interesting things I liked

Lucas Williamson having a bad first half shooting, then finding a way to make an impact on defense and as a facilitator in the second half.

Trevor Hudgins D2 PG Legend vs R.J. Cole Former Howard University player that transferred up to UCONN. Both has similar games and styles. And their both lefties. They both also have been overlooked. For Cole not too long, but Hudgins his whole career. Well guess what… Cole had 5 pts, 3 assists and 4 turnovers. Hudgins had 11 pts, 3 assists and 1 turnover.

Darryl Morsell picking up Fatts Russell full court. Being a resident of Maryland and watching both of these players a lot in my career I just found this battle very fun to watch. Two tough minded competitors not giving an inch to each other.

Jordan Usher and Nysier Brooks being great teammates. They talked and cheered while on the bench constantly. I loved it.

Koby McEwen’s quick hands on defense.

Quenton Jackson’s explosiveness. Sometimes it was good, sometimes a little much. But, it made an impression for sure.

The passing of Grant Golden and Tommy Kuhse. I love an unselfish player that understands WHEN to pass a ball without forcing.

Well here we go. Day two is coming soon!