MEMPHIS, Tenn. — It's the news Memphis Tiger fans were hoping would never come, star forward David Jones declares for the 2024 NBA Draft.
In the statement released on Instagram on Saturday morning, Jones also said he is keeping his college eligibility open which means he could very well decide not to keep his name in the draft and instead return to college basketball either here with the Tigers or elsewhere. However, Jones did not mention entering the transfer portal.
In the statement Jones said, "I want to express my deepest gratitude to my coaches, teammates and supporters, who have believed in me every step of the way and have contributed towards my development as a person and a player."
Jones started and played in all 32 Memphis Tiger basketball games last season, scoring in double digits in every game.
He was named first-team All AAC after averaging 21.8 (6th in NCAA) points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 1.8 assists in 32.3 minutes per game. Jones was also an All-American honorable mention by the Associated Press.
Jones shot 45.9% overall and connected on 38% of three point attempts and shot 79.7% from the free throw line.
This past season he became the first player in Division I to average at least 21 points, 7 rebounds and 2 steals per game since Zion Williams in 2018-19.
Prior to the 2023-24 season Jones spent one season at St John's and two seasons at DePaul.
If Jones decides to forgo the NBA Draft and return to Memphis it will be for his final year of eligibility. He must withdraw from the NBA Draft by May 29 if he wants to return and continue to play at the college level.
Jones is the latest domino to fall for coach Penny Hardaway this offseason. Now all but one scholarship player has either declared for the draft, entered the portal or has no college eligibility left.
The one remaining player is forward Nicholas Jourdain. The Tigers this offseason have also secured some bigtime commits from transfers PJ Haggerty, Dain Dainja and Colby Rogers.