CMU's Keene, WMU's Wilder miss out on Combine invites

A pair of Mid-American Conference stars, including the nation's leading scorer, did not receive invitations to next month's NBA Combine in Chicago.

Central Michigan's Marcus Keene confirmed to The News that he did not get invited, and Western Michigan coach Steve Hawkins said Thomas Wilder didn't either.

Both are juniors and early entrants. Keene has signed with an agent, so he has fully committed to turning professional. Wilder hasn't signed with an agent and doesn't plan to, and always has been totally open to returning for his senior season.

Both are expected to participate in individual workouts for NBA teams.

Keene in his one season at Central Michigan became the first player in 20 years to average 30 points a game. He compares to another short point guard, Oakland's Kay Felder, who left after his junior season and went late in the second round in 2016.

Felder, though, received an NBA Combine invitation and wowed teams with a 44-inch vertical, the second-highest in NBA Combine history.

Wilder was overshadowed by Keene's performances, but averaged 19.3 points in leading Western Michigan to a MAC West Division championship.

Invitations for the NBA Combine went out Friday, and there was stiff competition for them, with more than 190 early entrants. That doesn't include all the seniors.

Early entrants who haven't signed with an agent have until May 24 to withdraw their name from the NBA Draft and return to school.

The NBA Draft is June 22.

tpaul@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @tonypaul1984