ASHEVILLE, N.C. – UNC Asheville men's basketball player
Tajion Jones has received an invitation to compete in the 69th annual Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (P.I.T.). The 2023 P.I.T., which will take place April 12-15 at Churchland High School in Portsmouth, Virginia, is an annual Tournament where 64 senior college basketball players across the nation compete in front of professional scouts.
Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (Official Website)
Jones is the first UNC Asheville player to be invited to the P.I.T. since 2014 when D.J. Cunningham received an invite. Furthermore, Jones is the first Big South player to be invited to compete in the event since Campbell's Chris Clemons in 2019.
Jones played in and started all 35 games for Asheville in 2022-23. He became Asheville's all-time scoring leader (1,987 points) and 3-pointers made (360). Jones also became the Big South's all-time leader in games played (149) and minutes played (4,969). He scored in double figures in 30 of the team's 35 games and recorded seven 20-plus point performances. Matched a career-high with 30 points on three different occasions and matched the school record with eight 3-pointers made in a game twice in 2022-23. Jones became the first Big South player to ever score 1,800 points, grab 600 rebounds, and make over 300 3-pointers in 2022-23. For his work all season, Jones was named to the All-Big South First Team to go along with NABC All-District Second Team honors. Furthermore, he was named to the All-Big South Tournament team for his play in Asheville's run to capturing the Big South Tournament Championship.
About the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament
Every year since 1953, the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament has invited 64 senior college basketball players from across the nation to compete before professional scouts. Eight teams of eight players play a 12-game tournament over four days, with each player hoping to reach their dreams of becoming a professional basketball player.
Over the years, the P.I.T. has welcomed players that are now household names, like Rick Barry, Earl "The Pearl" Monroe, Dave Cowens, Scottie Pippen, John Stockton, Tim Hardaway, Dennis Rodman, Jimmy Butler and more.