Uthoff receives NBA combine invite; Jok doesn't

IOWA CITY — Former Iowa men's basketball player Jarrod Uthoff was invited to next month's NBA Scouting Combine, while guard Peter Jok did not receive an invitation.

Uthoff, who is considered a possible first-round selection, confirmed via text message he will compete in the annual showcase in Chicago. Uthoff, who grew up in Marengo and graduated from Cedar Rapids Jefferson, was a consensus All-American and a finalist for the Karl Malone Award as the nation's top power forward.

Uthoff ranked second in Big Ten scoring (18.9), first in blocked shots (2.6), and tied for 13th in rebounding (6.3). The 6-foot-9 forward ended his career 19th in Iowa career scoring (1,298) and fourth in blocked shots (177). Uthoff scored in double figures in all but one game this season.

A team source confirmed Jok was not invited to the combine. Jok, a 6-foot-6 shooting guard, was named second-team all-Big Ten. He averaged 16.1 points a game and hit 80 3-pointers, fourth-most in school history. His 9.1 point-per-game improvement was the best among Big Ten players.

Jok, a junior from Des Moines, has the option to return to school, thanks to new rules afforded to underclassmen. According to new NCAA rules, players can compete for NBA squads and talk with officials at the NBA scouting combine in May. Jok has up to 10 days after the combine to withdraw from the NBA draft and return to school, provided he does not hire an agent.

It's the third straight season an Iowa player was invited to the combine. Devyn Marble attended two years ago, and Aaron White participated last year. Both were drafted by NBA teams in the second round.

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