Oklahoma State’s standout guard Anthony Roy has earned a prestigious invitation to the 2026 Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (PIT), marking a significant milestone in the player’s transition from collegiate athletics to the professional ranks. The event, scheduled for April 15-18 in Portsmouth, Virginia, serves as one of the premier showcases for top college seniors aiming to catch the eye of professional scouts.
Roy’s selection for the 2026 PIT is a notable achievement for the Cowboys program, as he becomes the first Oklahoma State representative to compete in the tournament since Jeffrey Carroll in 2018. The invitation places Roy in an elite group of 64 selected players, providing a high-stakes platform to perform in front of representatives from all 30 NBA teams.
The 6-foot-5 guard enters the tournament following a dominant 2025-26 campaign where he established himself as the Cowboys’ primary offensive threat. Roy led the team in scoring, averaging 16.7 points per game, while maintaining a level of efficiency that ranked him among the top five in the Big 12 Conference in three critical categories: three-point field goals made (90), three-point shooting percentage (.390), and free throw accuracy (.857).
A Legacy of Professional Pedigree
Since its inception in 1953, the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament has functioned as a critical bridge between the NCAA and the professional game. The event’s history is woven into the fabric of basketball royalty, with an alumni list that reads like a Hall of Fame ballot. Past participants include legendary figures such as Rick Barry, Earl “The Pearl” Monroe, and Dave Cowens, as well as modern icons like Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, and Jimmy Butler.
For Roy, the invitation is not just a personal accolade but a return to a tradition of excellence for Oklahoma State. The university has a storied history at the PIT, with previous attendees ranging from the 1980s with Leroy Combs and Matt Clark to more recent standouts like Le’Bryan Nash and Michael Cobbins. By joining this list, Roy aligns himself with a lineage of Cowboys who have used the Virginia showcase to validate their professional prospects.
The competitive landscape of the 2026 tournament will be particularly dense for Roy, who is one of only nine players representing the Big 12 Conference. He will share the court with fellow conference standouts including Tamin Lipsey of Iowa State, Melvin Council Jr. And Tre White from Kansas, Donovan Atwell of Texas Tech, Riley Kugel and Themus Fulks from UCF, Nate Johnson of Kansas State, and Moe Odum of Arizona State.
Tournament Format and Path to the Finals
The PIT is structured as a rigorous four-day, 12-game gauntlet designed to test both the skill and endurance of the participants. Roy has been assigned to the team designated as Mike Duman, Inc. Under the tournament’s current format, his team is guaranteed three games, regardless of the outcome of their opening match.
The road to the championship begins on Thursday, April 16, with a quarterfinal matchup. A victory in this opening game propels the team into the semifinals on Friday evening. Conversely, a loss redirects the team into the consolation bracket, where they will fight for placement in the lower tiers of the tournament standings.
| Date | Event/Round | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, April 16 | Quarterfinals | 7:00 p.m. |
| Friday, April 17 | Semifinals (With Win) | 7:00 p.m. |
| Friday, April 17 | Consolation (With Loss) | 2:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, April 18 | Placement Rounds | 11:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
The event concludes on Saturday, April 18, with a series of placement rounds. Depending on their performance throughout the week, Roy and his teammates will compete in games determining 7th, 5th, 3rd, or 1st place. This tiered structure ensures that scouts can evaluate players against varying levels of competition throughout the four-day window.
What This Means for Roy’s Professional Outlook
For a player of Roy’s profile—a versatile 6-foot-5 wing with a proven perimeter game—the PIT is less about the final trophy and more about the “eye test.” Professional scouts utilize these games to assess how college stars adapt to unfamiliar teammates and higher-intensity defensive schemes in a short period.
Roy’s ability to shoot nearly 40% from beyond the arc and maintain high efficiency at the free-throw line makes him an attractive prospect for teams seeking floor spacing and reliable scoring. The presence of all 30 NBA teams ensures that every possession in Portsmouth is scrutinized, providing Roy with a direct line of communication to front offices across the league.
Fans and analysts can follow Roy’s progress through the tournament via live streaming. All games will be broadcast through the official event website, portsmouthinvitational.com, allowing the Oklahoma State community to monitor his performance in real-time.
The next confirmed checkpoint for Roy is the opening tip-off of the quarterfinals on Thursday, April 16, at 7 p.m. CT. His performance in this initial game will determine whether he spends Friday night contending for the title or battling through the consolation bracket.
We invite readers to share their thoughts on Roy’s selection and their expectations for his professional transition in the comments below.
