The University of Akron Athletics
Tavari Johnson and Amani Lyles Invited to the 2026 Portsmouth Invitational Tournament
April 15 | Men's Basketball
AKRON, Ohio - Akron Zips senior men's basketball players Tavari Johnson and Amani Lyles were selected among the 64 players to participate in the annual Portsmouth Invitational Tournament in Portsmouth, Va. on April 15-18.
Former Zip Nate Johnson also received an invite to the 2026 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 4 days, with each player hoping to reach their dreams of becoming a professional basketball player.
Johnson and Lyles become the seventh and eighth players in Akron history to be selected to the Portsmouth showcase, joining Romeo Travis (2007), Zeke Marshall (2013), Isaiah Johnson (2017), Loren Cristian Jackson (2021), Enrique Freeman and Ali Ali (2024).
Johnson will appear on the eight-man Portsmouth Sports Club roster along with Ernest Udeh Jr (Miami), Rienk Mast (Nebraska), Tre Carroll (Xavier), Lajae Jones (Florida State), J'Vonne Hadley (Louisville), Josh Dix (Creighton) and Melvin Council Jr. (Kansas).
Lyles will appear on the eight-man Jani-King roster along with Malik Dia (Ole Miss), Tre'Von Spillers (Wake Forest), Tre White (Kansas), Riley Kugel (Central Florida), Chase Ross (Marquette), Tre Donaldson (Miami) and Nikel Pack (Oklahoma).
Johnson was named the 2026 MAC Tournament MVP and named to the All-MAC Tournament team, along with being named to the All-MAC First team, a finalist for the Lou Henson Award, a finalist for the Nolan Richardson Award and was named to the Paradise Jam All-Tournament team. Johnson finished his career ranking 1st in single-season assists (176), 3rd in single-season scoring (688), 3rd in single-game assists (11), 4th in career assists (401), tied for 6th in career games played (134) and 14th in career scoring (1,422).
Lyles was named to the All-MAC Tournament team while also being named an All-MAC First Team selection. Against Texas Tech in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, he set the program record for most points scored in an NCAA Tournament game in Akron's Div. 1 era (26). He concluded the 2025-26 season averaging 14.9 points per game, scoring in double-figures 28 times, led the Zips in scoring eight times and scored 20+ points five times. He also averaged 7.9 rebounds per game and recorded a career-high 16 rebounds twice. Lyles also led the Zips in rebounds 21 times and recorded a team-leading nine double-doubles.
