The Portsmouth Invitational Tournament has been canceled for a second consecutive year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Portsmouth Invitational Tournament has been canceled for a second consecutive year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, according to an official announcement.

The tournament’s organizers indicated in their statement that the decision to cancel 2021’s event was a “very difficult” one. However, it was viewed as a necessary move given the continued declarations of emergency in Portsmouth and the State of Virginia.

The Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, which has been operating since 1953, typically takes place each April shortly after the college basketball season ends. It’s a four-day, 12-game event that showcases the year’s top college senior prospects.

While the P.I.T. has had to be canceled for two consecutive years, the organizers say they’re optimistic for next year’s tournament and will begin planning for April 2022.

Jimmy Butler, Derrick White, Richaun Holmes, Kendrick Nunn and Sterling Brown are among the many current NBA players who have taken part in the P.I.T. in previous years.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Ryan Blaney staves off challengers for dominant win at Iowa Corn 350
Watch: UFL championship marred by late on-field altercation between Stallions, Brahmas
Watch: Bryson DeChambeau pays tribute to the late Payne Stewart after winning U.S. Open
Bryson DeChambeau prevails in dramatic final round battle to win U.S. Open
Dodgers star will miss 'some time' with broken bone in left wrist
Former MLB journeyman dies at 61 years old
Rory McIlroy chokes away U.S. Open with pair of brutal missed putts
Pivotal Celtics center deemed questionable ahead of Game 5
Draymond Green weighs in on Klay Thompson's latest move
Tom Brady makes his broadcasting debut during UFL championship
Former top-five pick could follow the Dante Exum blueprint for NBA return
Yankees shelve top prospect once more due to injury concern
Sky forward Angel Reese rips officials following loss to Fever
Watch: Reds' Elly De La Cruz scores from second base on pickoff attempt
Dodgers' Dave Roberts confirms Yoshinobu Yamamoto is going on 15-day IL
Watch: Fighter jet flyover briefly interrupts Orioles at-bat
Rangers designate right-hander for assignment
Watch: Denmark's Christian Eriksen nets goal at Euro 2024 three years after suffering cardiac arrest
Giants place left-hander on 15-day IL with ankle sprain
Oilers crush Panthers in Game 4, stay alive in Stanley Cup Final

Want more College Basketball news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.