Corey Fisher and Corey Stokes have been teammates for four years. Now, they are competitors.
The former Villanova standouts have been competing on opposite teams at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, an NBA draft camp for seniors. Stokes’ team defeated Fisher’s team in the semifinals before losing in the championship this past weekend.
Fisher and Stokes, who grew up as close friends, are hoping to catch on next year in the NBA.
“I think I got a good chance [to make the NBA],” Stokes said. “I’m going to play my heart out in workouts and just take it from there. Since I was a little kid, I always wanted to play in the NBA. That’s all I’m focused on right now.”
Stokes averaged 16 points and 2.7 assists per game, while shooting 10-of-27 from beyond the arc in three games. Fisher averaged nine points and six assists, while making 7-of-11 three-point attempts.
After Stokes got a miserable 3-for-17 shooting night behind him, he caught fire with a combined 39 points and nine 3-pointers in the next two games. Fisher’s best game was his first, when he had 10 assists with only three turnovers.
“It’s a long process and it’s just getting started,” Fisher said. “I’m just trying to get ready for the next level, whether it’s NBA, D-League or overseas. As long as I’m playing basketball, something I love to do, I don’t have a problem with that.”
