4/14/2022 | Men's Basketball
PORTSMOUTH, VA - Iona College men's basketball graduate student Tyson Jolly will represent the program at the at the 2022 Portsmouth Invitational Tournament this week from April 14-16 at the Churchland High School Sports Complex. After a two-year hiatus due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the P.I.T. returns this year with Jolly becoming the seventh Gael in the last nine Portsmouth events to participate. He is the lone represenative of the MAAC in 2022.
Today scouts from numerous international leagues have joined in on the annual April pilgrimage to Portsmouth. Over the years the P.I.T. has been a showcase for five of the 50 greatest players in NBA History (Rick Barry, Earl "The Pearl" Monroe, Dave Cowens, John Stockton, Scottie Pippen) and for many others who have gone on to NBA stardom including 2015 NBA All-Star Jimmy Butler.
ABOUT JOLLY
The 2022 MAAC Player of the Year, Jolly adds to a growing list of postseason accolades that include an All-MAAC First Team, NABC All-District, and USBWA All-District selections. He also participated in the 3X3U National Championships in New Orleans during the NCAA Final Four. He was the second leading scorer in the tournament and helped his squad to a quarterfinal round appearance.GAELS IN PORTSMOUTH
Jolly joins former Gaels Jordan Washington (2017), A.J. English (2016, MVP), David Laury (2015), Sean Armand (2014), Lamont Jones (2013) and Mike Glover (2012) as participants at the Portsmouth Invitational.PORTSMOUTH PARTNERSHIP SQUAD
Jolly was selected to the Portsmouth Partnership team, led by coaches Paul Hall, Erik Johnson and former NBA performer Jason Maxiell. Jolly's teammates include Florida forward Anthony Duruji, Sam Houston State forward Savion Flagg, Richmond guard Jacob Gilyard, Michigan guard Devante Jones, North Dakota State forward Rocky Kreuser, Boston University wing Javante McCoy and Wake Forest forward Dallas Walton. Florida and Iona squared off this season though Diruji did not play due to injury.GAME ONE RECAP
Portsmouth Partnership opened its tournament schedule Thursday evening with a nail-biting, 81-77 double overtime loss to Mike Duman Auto Sales. Jolly played 26 minutes and scored 12 points with two rebounds, an assist, steal and a block. McCoy had a game-high 19 points while Flagg added 13 in the loss. Dunam Auto Sales was led by San Francisco's Jamaree Bouyea 18 points. The team also saw seven points, eight rebounds and five assists from Belmont's Nick Muszynski, one of the Gaels 2021-22 opponents.UPCOMING GAMES
Portsmouth Partnership takes on Portsmouth Sports Club Friday (April 15) at 3:15 p.m. The final game takes place Saturday at either 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. depending on the result.ABOUT THE PORTSMOUTH INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT
The 68th year of the event, the P.I.T invites 64 of the best college basketball players (seniors) from across the nation to participate in a four-day, twelve game tournament in front of representatives from every NBA team. The tournament drew the attention of NBA Scouts and General Managers in the 1970's when players like Rick Barry, Earl "The Pearl" Monroe, Dave Cowens, John Lucas and Bobby Cremins came to Portsmouth to play. Soon the word spread and approximately 200 Scouts, General Managers and Representatives of all 30 NBA teams began to come to see players like John Stockton, Dennis Rodman, Tim Hardaway, Scottie Pippen and others.Today scouts from numerous international leagues have joined in on the annual April pilgrimage to Portsmouth. Over the years the P.I.T. has been a showcase for five of the 50 greatest players in NBA History (Rick Barry, Earl "The Pearl" Monroe, Dave Cowens, John Stockton, Scottie Pippen) and for many others who have gone on to NBA stardom including 2015 NBA All-Star Jimmy Butler.
