Oklahoma State’s Anthony Roy Selected for Portsmouth Invitational Tournament

For the basketball community in Stillwater, the excitement surrounding the 2025-26 season hasn’t faded with the final buzzer. Instead, it has shifted toward the East Coast as Oklahoma State’s standout performer, Anthony Roy, prepares to step onto one of the most scrutinized stages in professional basketball scouting. The news that Roy has been selected for the 2026 Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (PIT) isn’t just a personal milestone for the athlete; it’s a significant moment for the entire Cowboy Basketball program, marking the first time since 2018 that a Cowboy has been invited to this prestigious event.

The PIT is far from a standard preseason scrimmage. Established in 1953, this four-day, 12-game gauntlet in Portsmouth, Virginia, serves as a critical bridge between collegiate excellence and professional viability. For a player like Roy, the draw is the audience. The tournament offers top college seniors a rare opportunity to showcase their skill sets directly in front of professional scouts, including representatives from all 30 NBA teams. When you look at the alumni list—names like Scottie Pippen, Jimmy Butler, Dennis Rodman, and Tim Hardaway—it becomes clear that the PIT is a proven pipeline for players who possess the grit and talent to thrive at the highest level of the sport.

Analyzing the Impact of Roy’s 2025-26 Campaign

To understand why Roy is among the 64 selected players, one only needs to look at the numbers from his final year in the Massive 12. Roy didn’t just lead the Cowboys in scoring; he did so with a level of efficiency that demands professional attention. Averaging 16.7 points per game, Roy established himself as a lethal perimeter threat. His statistical profile is particularly impressive when viewed through the lens of the Big 12’s defensive intensity. Ranking among the top five in the conference for three-point field goals with 90 made shots, and maintaining a .390 three-point percentage, Roy has proven he can stretch the floor against elite competition.

his .857 free throw percentage indicates a level of composure and technical precision that scouts prize in late-game situations. At 6-foot-5, Roy possesses the size and versatility to disrupt opposing offenses even as remaining a primary scoring option. This combination of size and shooting efficiency is exactly what NBA and G League scouts are looking for in the modern “3-and-D” archetype. By following in the footsteps of Jeffrey Carroll, Roy is attempting to revitalize Oklahoma State’s presence in the professional scouting conversation.

The Big 12 Contingent and the Competitive Landscape

Roy won’t be the only representative of the Big 12 in Portsmouth. He is one of nine players from the conference selected, joining a formidable group that includes Tamin Lipsey from Iowa State, Melvin Council Jr. And Tre White from Kansas, Donovan Atwell from Texas Tech, Riley Kugel and Themus Fulks from UCF, Nate Johnson from Kansas State, and Moe Odum from Arizona State. This concentration of Big 12 talent underscores the conference’s current standing as a premier developmental league for professional prospects.

The competition will be fierce, especially as players like Tamin Lipsey—a four-year starter for Iowa State known for his point-of-attack defense—and Donovan Atwell, who averaged 13.5 points and shot 45.8% from three at Texas Tech, look to elevate their own draft stock. For Roy, the challenge will be to stand out not just as a scorer, but as a complete player capable of contributing to a winning system under the watchful eyes of the NBA’s front offices.

The Road Ahead: Team Mike Duman, Inc.

The structure of the PIT is designed to test a player’s consistency and resilience. Roy has been placed on a team designated as Mike Duman, Inc., and the schedule is grueling. The journey begins with the Quarterfinals on Thursday, April 16, at 7 p.m. CT. The stakes for this opening game are immense: a victory propels the team into Friday’s 7 p.m. CT semifinal, while a loss sends them into the consolation bracket on Friday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. CT.

The event concludes on Saturday, April 18, with placement rounds that determine the final standings. Whether Roy is competing for 7th place at 11:30 a.m. Or fighting for the championship at 6 p.m., every possession is an audition. With live streaming available via portsmouthinvitational.com, fans in Stillwater and across Oklahoma can track his progress in real-time, hoping to spot their former Cowboy secure a spot in the upcoming draft.

As Roy navigates this transition, the importance of professional support becomes paramount. Moving from a collegiate environment to the professional scouting circuit requires more than just on-court talent; it requires a strategic approach to brand management, physical maintenance, and contract preparation. If you are an athlete or a family member navigating this high-stakes transition in the Stillwater area, having the right local network is essential. Given my background in professional directory curation, I recommend focusing on three specific types of local expertise to ensure a seamless leap to the pros.

Essential Local Professional Support for Pro Prospects

Navigating the gap between the NCAA and the professional ranks requires a specialized support system. For those in the Oklahoma region, I suggest seeking out the following archetypes of professionals:

Certified Sports Agency Consultants

Look for consultants who specialize in NBA and G League draft eligibility. You need a professional who understands the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and can provide guidance on representation without compromising eligibility. Priority should be placed on those with a documented history of placing mid-major or Big 12 players into professional leagues.

Elite Performance Strength & Conditioning Specialists

The jump to the professional level requires a shift in physical training. Seek out specialists who focus on “functional hypertrophy” and explosive power specifically for basketball players. The ideal provider should offer personalized biometric tracking and recovery protocols to ensure the athlete peaks exactly during the scouting window.

Sports-Specific Registered Dietitians

Professional scouts notice everything, including a player’s conditioning and energy levels during a four-day tournament. Look for nutritionists who specialize in athletic performance and supplementation. They should be able to create a “tournament-phase” meal plan that optimizes glucose levels and hydration for high-intensity, multi-game weekends.

For more information on managing the transition to professional sports, you can explore our guides on sports management strategies or look into local health and wellness resources to keep your physical edge.

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