Former Idaho center Kyle Barone is taking the first of many steps of his post-collegiate career in his quest to play professionally. Barone was one of 64 collegiate seniors invited to the Portsmouth Invitational — An NBA scouting tournament reserved for mostly second-round type and D-League prospects.
Barone hit the floor Thursday night with his team, Cherry Bekaert, winning 81-74 in its first game. Barone started slow only hitting on one of his first seven attempts from the field, but he heated up late hitting his last two shots during the last three minutes. Barone finished with eight points and 11 boards.
The speed of the game seemed to give Barone problems early, but he later seemed to move around more naturally and getting himself in position to get the ball. As it stands now it’s unlikely Barone is one of the 60 players taken in the NBA draft, but a good showing in this tournament could increase that probability or at the very least put him in position to get signed to an NBA summer league team.
Barone’s team features other standouts such as Oregon’s E.J. Singler and UNLV’s Anthony Marshall. Cherry Bekeart will be back in action Friday night at 6 p.m. PDT, 7 p.m. MDT.
After about 4 canceled flights and delays and a lost bag finally got here #portsmouth
— Kyle Barone (@KB33_) April 11, 2013