A Kansas Player Shines as Portsmouth Invitational Tournament Wraps Up

The Portsmouth Invitational Tournament wrapped up with a thrilling finish as Melvin Council Jr. of Kansas took home the MVP award after leading his team, Portsmouth Sports Club, to victory. The game ended 93-86 against Mike Duman, Inc. , with Council putting up strong numbers: 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists. This wasn’t just a one-time performance—it was his third straight standout game in the tournament, which gathers the top 64 college seniors in the country. Scouts from the NBA and overseas teams were there to watch, making Council’s performance even more impressive. The game started off tight, with Mike Duman, Inc. leading at halftime, 46-43. But Portsmouth Sports Club slowly turned things around, taking a slim lead into the final quarter. Council stepped up with a quick 6-0 run that put his team ahead by 11 points with just over five minutes left. Though Mike Duman, Inc. fought back with three long-range shots, Portsmouth Sports Club held on to secure the win. Other key players for Portsmouth Sports Club included Lajae Jones (16 points) and Tavari Johnson (16 points), while Anthony Roy from Oklahoma State led Mike Duman, Inc. with 24 points.Not every team walked away with a win, but the tournament still had plenty of highlights. In the third-place game, Texas A&M’s Rashaun Agee dominated with 27 points and 12 rebounds, nearly single-handedly carrying his team to victory. The fifth-place game featured Purdue’s Trey Kaufman-Renn, who shot an incredible 9-of-11 from the field while scoring 22 points. Meanwhile, Georgia Tech’s Kowacie Reeves Jr. stole the show in the seventh-place game with a 34-point, 10-rebound performance. The tournament also handed out individual awards to standout players. Besides Council’s MVP, the All-Tournament Team featured players like Jaden Henley from Grand Canyon and Tre Carroll from Xavier. Each player brought something unique to the court, whether it was scoring, rebounding, or playmaking. The diversity of talent on display shows just how competitive college basketball is at the senior level. What makes this tournament special is that it gives players a chance to prove themselves in front of professional scouts. For many, it’s one of the last stops before the NBA Draft or overseas leagues. Council’s performance might have caught the eyes of decision-makers, but every player who competed had a shot to make an impression.