Portland radio play-by-play announcer Jason Swygard swung by a summer practice and chatted with newcomers Alden Applewhite and Vukasin Masic, as well as assistant coach T.J. Lipold in the latest Portland Pilots Podcast.

Applewhite transferred to The Bluff after one year at Mississippi State. A native of Memphis, Tenn., Applewhite appeared in just two games for Mississippi State before injuries shortened his freshman season. He previously attended prep school at the high-profile Arizona Compass Prep and averaged 10.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game during the 2020-21 season. Applewhite was rated as the No. 172 recruit in the nation and No. 35 small forward according to 247Sports.com.

Masic joins the Pilots after playing last season at Maine. He began his career at Hofstra and will have three years of eligibility remaining. Masic started 25 games and averaged 9.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game for the Black Bears. He knocked down a team-high 46 three-pointers while shooting 35.4 percent from beyond the arc and shot 85.2 percent at the free throw line.

The Pilots return the top seven scorers from the 19-win team under first year head coach Shantay Legans. Portland recorded the first postseason win at the NCAA level and matched the fourth-most wins in a season since joining the Division I ranks in 1958. Other highlights included a road win against NCAA Tournament participant San Francisco, a 7-7 West Coast Conference record, and a six-game win streak late in the season.

Portland announced its complete non-conference schedule earlier this week. A limited time non-conference flex ticket package is available now for all men's and women's basketball home games at the Chiles Center. Fans can purchase five lower level flex tickets for any Portland men's or women's non-conference games for just $50. Visit PortlandPilots.com/SummerSale to reserve your tickets today.