Several players exhibited some NBA potential in the first two games.
As I wrote about yesterday, the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament is an opportunity to scout senior players that may not be getting my love on draft boards right now. The Wizards took full advantage of that opportunity on Day 2 as Capital City Go-Go general manager Amber Nichols was in attendance, as were two other members of the scouting department.
If their basketball sensibilities are anything like most other evaluators at the event, they likely came away most impressed by Utah center Branden Carlson. The 7-footer had 18 points (7-10), 5 rebounds, and 1 assist. He made 3 of his 6 three-point attempts looking like a real three-pointer.
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As I wrote about in my preview for the event, Carlson was one of the players I was most interested in seeing and he did not disappoint. A mobile, stretch big who could come in and contribute right away would be valuable for just about any team in the league.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see him get drafted and I’ll be even less surprised if he’s one of the names we look back on and wonder why he was so undervalued during the draft process.
Carlson likely would have been even more productive if he wasn’t on the most stacked team in the competition. Maryland guard Jahmir Young had 15 points and 6 assists, USC guard Boogie Ellis had 19 points and 6 rebounds, Providence big man Josh Oduro had 10 points and 10 rebounds, and LSU wing Jordan Wright also had 15 points.
Nevada point/wing Kenan Blackshear, another one of my favorites, is also on that squad and took more of a back seat in their first game with 7 points and 7 rebounds. I’m looking forward to seeing him show off more of skillset on Day 3.
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Alabama guard Aaron Estrada was the high scorer for the tournament so far with 30 points. He made 12-23 shots overall and 5-9 from three. I could see him getting an Exhibit 10 contract and scoring at a high clip in the G League next year.
Illinois wing Marcus Domask, Morehead State forward Riley Minix, Bradley forward Malevy Leons, and James Madison forward TJ Bickerstaff all stood out to me in different ways as well.
More updates to come from Day 3 of the tournament!