Memphis basketball star David Jones will get a prime shot to improve his NBA draft stock.

The Tigers' first-team All-AAC wing on Friday received an invitation to the NBA draft combine, which is scheduled for May 12-19 at Wintrust Arena and the Marriott Marquis in Chicago. The most recent Memphis players to be invited were Jalen Duren and Josh Minott in 2022.

Jones declared for the NBA draft last month but also maintained his collegiate eligibility. If the 6-foot-6 wing returns to college, it will be back at Memphis.

Jones is one of 78 players who have received an invitation, although a select number of standouts from the NBA G League Elite Camp also will be selected to participate. Last year, former Memphis star Kendric Davis took part in the combine after a strong showing at the G League Elite Camp.

Jones led the Tigers this past season with 21.8 points (sixth-best in the country) and 7.6 rebounds a game.

Prior to this week, anytime he spoke publicly about his basketball future, he was consistently noncommittal. Memphis coach Penny Hardaway, on the other hand, has been consistently optimistic about the Tigers' chances of bringing Jones back.

If Jones wants to return to Memphis for another season, he must withdraw from the draft process by May 29.

Memphis already has made big strides toward a near-total roster rebuild, though Hardaway still has at least five open scholarships. The Tigers have added transfer guards Tyrese Hunter, PJ Haggerty, Colby Rogers and Baraka Okojie, as well as big men Dain Dainja and Tyreek Smith. Forward Nicholas Jourdain is expected to return, and Memphis also signed incoming freshman guard Jared Harris.

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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: Memphis basketball star David Jones gets NBA draft combine invitation