PORTLAND, Ore. — Phil Knight sure knows how to throw a party.
The Nike co-founder and Oregon super fan, who turns 85 in February, will celebrate his birthday a couple months early this weekend when 24 of the top teams in men’s and women’s college basketball play in the Phil Knight Invitational and Phil Knight Legacy tournaments. Each tournament features an eight-team men’s bracket and four-team women’s bracket.
Games tip off Thursday, with the tournament concluding Sunday (there are no games on Saturday because of college football). All games will be broadcast on ESPN networks and feature multiple NBA prospects. Here are the top nine to keep an eye on:
Zach Edey, Purdue
Basics: 7-foot-4, 290 pounds, Jr., C
Stats: 20.7 points, 13.7 rebounds, 3.3 blocks
2023 NBA Draft projection: Second round
Watch him because: Arguably the most dominant player in college basketball, Edey has a fascinating journey as a former hockey and baseball standout who didn’t get serious about hoops until his sophomore year of high school.
Scout’s take: “He’s a monster. Typical Big Ten basketball guy with his size and with the way (coach) Matt Painter likes to play. He loves his bigs. Edey is an interior scorer, he finishes around the rim. He’s got pretty good hands and touch for being that big. The athleticism, the switching on defense and just his mobility, there’s worry about him in the NBA. People will put him in pick-and-rolls, and he will really have some trouble.”
Jordan Hawkins, UConn
Basics: 6-5, 195, So., G
Stats: 10.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists
2023 draft projection: Likely second round
Watch him because: Hawkins is poised for a breakout season after injuries derailed the end of his freshman year. Praised for his catch-and-shoot ability, he’s trying to be a more consistent scorer and better creator.
Scout’s take: “He’s interesting. Obviously playing for Coach (Dan) Hurley, he’s tough. He can really shoot and score. He’s a confident player, believes in himself. But more of a scorer. He’s not a great playmaker for others. He doesn’t handle the ball great but finds a way to put the ball in.”
Dereck Lively II, Duke
Basics: 7-1, 230, Fr., C
Stats: 3.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 70% FG
2023 draft projection: Potential lottery pick
Watch him because: He’s an athletic rim protector whose potential defensive impact will make a lot of NBA teams swoon. He needs to be more productive…