It was announced Monday that Ball State center Lonnie Jones has accepted an invitation to play in the Portsmouth Invitational.
The invitational is a four-day tournament for 64 of the nation's top collegiate seniors who are looking to pursue a professional basketball career. The 64 players will be placed in eight teams for the competition, which will take place April 3-6.
"I'm really excited," Jones said. "You always want to have a chance to play after college. It's a good opportunity for me."
Head coach Tim Buckley attributed part of Jones' invitation to the fact that there aren't many big senior centers in college basketball this season. Buckley also said Jones himself had something to do with it.
"I also think his performance has helped," Buckley said. "Big guys are the kind of guys you have to watch throughout an entire season to see how they have improved. Lonnie has definitely improved."
The invitational is meant to provide senior college athletes with an extra opportunity to be seen by NBA scouts.
Jones' hopes the invitational will help his chances with scouting.
"A lot of people feel I have a good chance to (play in the NBA)," Jones said. "Especially this year, without a lot of big men coming out."
Jones, who was notified about his invitation about two weeks ago, said even if he isn't offered an NBA deal, he will look to play professionally for a team, perhaps overseas.
Buckley said he and the rest of the coaching staff will be there to support Jones, but the center must first finish the season at hand.
"It's a culmination of a lot of hard work for Lonnie," Buckley said. "He is very deserving of the honor and the opportunity. Now it's a matter of him helping us get to the point we need to get.
"Then we can focus on him and his opportunities after the season is over. As a staff that is something we want to continue to do - help him reach his goals."
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