David Jones’ immediate future remains unclear.

The Memphis basketball star — who still has the option of returning to the Tigers — is spending this week at the NBA draft combine in Chicago.

Along with dozens of other draft hopefuls, the Dominican Republic native underwent strength and agility testing, then played in two scrimmages. In a combined 33 minutes of playing time, Jones had 12 points, seven rebounds, three assists, one steal and four turnovers. He was 3-for-10 from the field overall and 1 of 5 from the 3-point line.

It was an underwhelming showing for the first-team All-AAC performer (who averaged 21.8 points and 7.6 rebounds a game for Penny Hardaway’s Tigers last season), according to multiple scouts and observers who are also in attendance.

“He was on the outside (of the NBA draft) looking in, in my view at least,” ESPN draft analyst Jonathan Givony told The Commercial Appeal. “(And) he didn’t play as well as he probably needed to (in order) to improve his standing.”

Despite Jones’ stellar year at Memphis, most onlookers agree his decision-making, ballhandling, shot selection and size either needed improvement or were working against him. Listed at 6-foot-6 on the Tigers’ roster, Jones measured in at 6-3½ (without shoes) this week. Boris Beric, an independent scouting consultant for NBA and G League organizations, said he had expected Jones to show more progress.

“He looked overwhelmed and overmatched at the combine, especially with the ball in his hands,” Beric said. “I do like David, to be clear. His skill set is what NBA teams are theoretically looking for as an all-around player. (But) I think he struggled here.”

Does a rough few days automatically mean Jones will return to Memphis? Not necessarily. If he goes undrafted, an NBA team might be willing to sign him to a two-way contract — each team has three of those at its disposal.

John Hollinger, a senior NBA columnist for The Athletic and a former vice president of basketball operations for the Memphis Grizzlies, believes it’s “unlikely” Jones gets drafted. A two-way contract is not out of the question.

“But he might have to play summer league first to get it," Hollinger said. “It seems like he would do better financially getting another year of NIL money. Unless he gets a crazy offer from an overseas league.”

As Beric sees it, Jones’ prospects for a two-way contract also might have taken a hit this week.

“I thought he would definitely be a guy who deserves a two-way deal if he went pro this year because of his dribble-pass-shoot skill set and overall feel for the game,” Beric said. “Now I’m not sure he even gets a two-way deal. And even if he does, it’s not a lock he stays on that contract throughout the year.

"(Jones) just needs to polish everything up and it would benefit him to come back (to Memphis) to work on that."

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Hardaway has long maintained a positive outlook on the potential of getting Jones back for another season.

“I mean, I don’t want to jinx (Jones) with anything he’s doing with the NBA,” Hardaway said last week. “But I’m sticking with 70-30 (odds in favor of Jones returning). Honestly, I think he understands what it’s all about. He did not go in the (transfer) portal, because he loves this city. He fell in love with this city and fell in love with the team.

“I definitely will be looking forward to him coming back.”

The deadline to withdraw from the draft process with collegiate eligibility intact is May 29.

Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or follow him @munzly on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: NBA draft analysts evaluate Memphis basketball star David Jones' stock