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There was some warranted skepticism when Tennessee guard Jordan Bone’s announced his plans to declare for the NBA Draft back on April 4.
Many believed that the junior guard could have used one more season under Rick Barnes and did not appear in many of the early mock drafts, lending credence to the belief that Bone would in fact leave the door open for a possible return to Knoxville.
But late Friday night, Bone’s NBA future got even brighter as it appears he has been invited to participate in the league’s draft combine, which is set to being on May 14.
Bone made the announcement via Twitter:
NBA Combine, I’ll see you soon #blessings #whynot
— Jordan Bone (@JordanBone23) April 27, 2019
During the Vols 2018-19 season, which ended in a Sweet Sixteen loss to Purdue, Bone averaged more than 13 points per game, a long with a team-high 215 assists.
Tennessee is hoping Jalen Cone is their backup plan. The 2020 point guard prospect has an offer from the Vols to reclassify to the 2019 class, assuming Bone does leave for the NBA. Regardless of what happens with Cone, Tennessee has Lamonte Turner ready to take over the point next season.
Bone has until May 29th to opt to come back to Tennessee, or stay in the draft.