UNLV freshman Derrick Jones declares for NBA Draft, has option to return

The list of players leaving the UNLV basketball program continues to grow. The latest is Rebels freshman Derrick Jones who has announced that he has declared for the NBA Draft, but he is playing it safe and is not hiring an agent which allows him to go to the draft combine but return to school.

"I am very blessed and humble to announce I will be declaring for the 2016 NBA Draft without hiring an agent," Jones said via Twitter. "I would like to thank the coaches and staff at UNLV who helped me become a better player and a better man on and off the court. I am proud to be a member of the Runnin' Rebel community and will always proudly represent the city of Las Vegas."

Jones played in 30 games, starting 15 for the Rebels, and averaged 11.5 points and 4.5 rebounds. More at play for Jones is that he was ruled ineligible this year due to his ACT score being vacated just before the Mountain West tournament.

He was reinstated but was only able to practice and not participate in games, and there has been no update since the second week of March. So, this move to go test the NBA Draft is probably the best move since his eligibility is still up in the air and not hiring an agent leaves the door open for him to return to college basketball if he can be reinstated.

The 6-foot-7 freshman became the third Rebels player to declare for the draft by following sophomore Patrick McCaw and freshman Stephen Zimmerman.