FORT WORTH, Texas — Memphis basketball star David Jones didn't say much after his team was eliminated from the AAC tournament Thursday at Dickies Arena.

But Jones, a top-10 scorer in the country with 21.7 points per game and an NBA draft prospect, left open the possibility of returning to the Tigers for his final season of eligibility.

"Yeah, everything is possible," he said. "I like Penny (Hardaway) as a head coach, so we're going to see. That's all I can say."

Jones made his comments just moments after Memphis lost to Wichita State 71-65, likely bringing an end to a once promising season.

Last week, Hardaway surprised some when he was asked how he felt his chances were at convincing Jones to spend another season in Memphis.

"I would say 60-40, 70-30 us. I'll say that," Hardaway said. "But I'll never hold anyone back. If his destiny is to be a lottery pick or a first-rounder or high second round then, man, I'm gonna applaud that. Because that's what we want for our guys. But if he wants to come back, I'm definitely gonna be pushing for him to come back if he doesn't get what he wants."

Jones spent his first season at DePaul, then transferred to St. John's. But he has made a huge splash at Memphis under Hardaway. Prior to Thursday's game, Jones was the only active Division I player averaging 21 points, seven rebounds and two steals or more.

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Forward Nicholas Jourdain recently announced his plans to return for the 2024-25 season. He was asked last week for his thoughts on the possibility of Jones' return.

"We’d love to have David back, but he has to do what’s best for him," Jourdain said.

Jones and Jourdain are part of a small group eligible to return next season. The others are Jonathan Pierre, Jayhlon Young, Joe Cooper, Ashton Hardaway and Carl Cherenfant.

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: David Jones open to returning to Memphis basketball next season