2026 Portsmouth Invitational Tournament Day One Standouts

The opening day of the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament once again delivered a strong glimpse into the next tier of pro prospects, where college standouts compete under an NBA microscope with everything on the line. Day one featured a blend of high-motor bigs, poised lead guards, and versatile wings, all looking to separate themselves through effort, feel, and translatable skills. While some prospects flashed immediate impact with their physical tools and production, others showed the subtle traits—decision-making, defensive versatility, and pace control—that NBA evaluators value just as much. Watch below my breakdown of the top performers from day one in an all new episode of All Around.

Game 1: Sales Systems

Tobi Lawal | Virginia Tech | 6’8”, 215 | F: NBA Archetype: Athletic Two-Way Forward- Elite athlete with leaping ability similar to Portland Trailblazers guard Shaedon Sharpe in terms of explosiveness. Impacted the game defensively with shot-blocking and the ability to guard multiple positions. Ran the floor hard and finished above the rim consistently. Showed flashes in the midrange, knocking down a couple of turnaround jumpers, though perimeter shooting (especially from three) remains an area for growth. Effective as a screen-and-roll finisher. High-level defensive upside.

Rafael Castro | George Washington | 6’11”, 220 | C: NBA Archetype: Rim-Running Big-Mobile big who runs the floor well and thrives in transition. Showed strong hands in traffic and finished plays above the rim. Projects as an energy big who can contribute through effort, vertical spacing, and interior presence.

Tamin Lipsey | Iowa State | 6’1”, 200 | PG: NBA Archetype: Traditional Floor General- True point guard who controlled tempo and orchestrated offense efficiently. Made sound decisions, delivered accurate passes, and kept the offense organized. Strong feel for the game stands out.

Jaden Henley | Grand Canyon | 6’7”, 210 | G/F: NBA Archetype: Two-Way Wing- Highly skilled wing with defensive versatility, capable of guarding positions 1–3. Showed a balanced skill set with the ability to contribute on both ends.

Meechie Johnson | South Carolina | 6’2”, 192 | PG: NBA Archetype: Scoring Combo Guard- Shifty, physical guard with three-level scoring ability. Explosive with the ball, capable of breaking down defenders and making plays. Strong at the point of attack defensively and showed solid playmaking instincts. Competitive “gamer” mentality stood out.

Game 1: Portsmouth Sports Club

Tre Carroll | Xavier | 6’8”, 235 | F: NBA Archetype: Stretch Forward- Knockdown shooter with size who spaces the floor effectively. Smart player who makes good reads, can post up, and defend multiple positions. Valuable as a versatile forward.

Ernest Udeh Jr. | Miami | 6’11”, 266 | C: NBA Archetype: Physical Interior Big- Strong, physical presence inside with surprising agility. Runs the floor well, rebounds at a high level, and finishes through contact. Defensively sound with a high motor and strong IQ.

Melvin Council Jr. | Kansas | 6’4”, 180 | PG: NBA Archetype: Defensive-Minded Guard- High-IQ lead guard who excels in pick-and-roll situations. Effective midrange scorer with a strong floater game. Defensively disruptive, applying full-court pressure and setting the tone.

Game 2: Rounds Landscape Service

Kylan Boswell | Illinois| 6’2”, 215 | PG: NBA Archetype: Two-Way Guard- Strong, physical guard who consistently got to the free throw line. Showed patience probing off screens and was impactful defensively both on and off the ball. Reliable two-way presence.

Game 2: Jani-King

Tre White | Kansas 6’7”, 215 | G: NBA Archetype: Versatile Scoring Wing- Three-level scorer with sneaky athleticism and advanced feel. Displayed strong vision and passing ability while handling the ball with craft. Well-rounded offensive skill set.

Tre Donaldson | Miami| 6’3”, 198 | PG: NBA Archetype: Penetrating Lead Guard- Shifty guard who consistently got into the paint. Finished through contact with a mix of layups and floaters. Showed strong downhill ability and scoring instincts.