MEMPHIS, Tenn. — It's news Tigers fans were dreading. Star forward David Jones will keep his name in the 2024 NBA Draft and go pro, forgoing his final year of college eligibility, according to ESPN's Jonathan Givony. Jones confirmed the announcement on his own social media.
Jones was the Tigers leading scorer (21.8 ppg) and rebounder (7.6 rpg) last season. In his one year in Memphis, he shot 46% from the field and an improved 38% from three, making him potentially attractive to NBA franchises.
Jones was All-AAC First Team and was named an All-American honorable mention by the Associated Press.
The star forward was invited to the NBA Draft Combine, but after measuring shorter than listed in Memphis (6'3" at combine, listed at 6'6") and some less than inspiring performances in the combine scrimmages, there was optimism by Tigers faithful that he would return to Memphis for a final season.
With Jones' choice to stay in the NBA Draft, Nicholas Jourdain becomes the only Tiger from last season's team to return. Jared Harris is the only incoming freshman, but seven players have transferred to Memphis.
PJ Haggerty (Tulsa), Colby Rogers (Wichita State), Dain Dainja (Illinois), Tyrese Hunter (Texas), Baraka Okojie (George Mason), Tyreek Smith (SMU) and Moussa Cisse (Ole Miss) are all on the Tigers roster and have landed on campus for summer team activities.
Memphis finished last season 22-10 for a fifth place finish in the AAC regular season. They lost to Wichita State in the second round of the conference tournament. Even without Jones, the Tigers new look roster should be favored to win the league and make a return trip to the NCAA Tournament.