University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Drew Pember Receives Invitation to Portsmouth Invitational Tournament
04.08.2024 | Men's Basketball
Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (Official Website)
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – UNC Asheville men's basketball player Drew Pember has been invited to compete in the 70th annual Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (P.I.T.). The 2024 P.I.T. will occur April 17-20 at Churchland High School in Portsmouth, Virginia.
The P.I.T. is an annual Tournament where 64 senior college basketball players across the nation compete in front of professional scouts.
This is the first time in program history that Asheville has received back-to-back P.I.T. invitations as Tajion Jones competed in the 2023 invitational. Pember is the fourth Bulldog to compete in the tournament, following Jones in 2023, D.J. Cunningham in 2014, and Josh Pittman in 1998.
It was another standout season for the Knoxville, Tennessee, native. Pember is the first back-to-back Big South Player of the Year recipient since 2008-10 and the second individual from Asheville to earn the honor back-to-back years.
He led the league in scoring (20.4 ppg), blocks (57), and defensive boards (197). Pember, Lou Henson National Player of the Year Award Watch List honoree, finished the regular season No. 5 in the nation in free throws made and free throw attempts. Pember recorded seven double-doubles this season and two triple-doubles, with his second triple-double coming in the Big South Conference tournament. He is one of three individuals to record a triple-double in conference tournament play.
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.
