Jones could return to USF

The deadline to withdraw your name from the NBA draft is 5 p.m. Saturday and there are reports that USF’s top player Dominique Jones may have a change of heart and return to school.

The 6-4, 215 pound combo guard was adamant that he was coming out a few months ago. He was projected to be a first round pick, which means a guaranteed contract and that was the key motivation.

Since that time, it is no longer considered a guarantee that Jones would be a first round selection and his father was quoted earlier this week as saying his son was reconsidering.

USF head coach Stan Heath has one scholarship available that could be given to Jones. If the guard decides to return he could break the school career scoring record held by Charles Bradley and the Bulls have a strong nucleus of returning talent in the front court to make his job easier.

Jones reportedly has a workout with the Boston Celtics on Friday that could convince him to enter the draft. The Celtics don’t have a lot of depth in the backcourt, but whether they would use it on Jones in the first round is uncertain.

NBADraftnet.com has Jones projected as the 24th pick overall going to the Atlanta Hawks. The biggest criticism of Jones is inconsistency with his outside shot, but otherwise he has a strong offensive game and his ability to penetrate is one of his best attributes.

In his most recent draft projection released May 6th, ESPN’s Chad Ford does not have Jones in the first round or among the first five in the second round, which is a step down. DraftExpress has Jones going in the fourth pick of the second round to the Washington Wizards.

A lot could happen between now and Saturday at 5 pm to change things with players withdrawing from the draft.