The 2019 number one recruit and potential number one pick in the 2020 NBA Draft James Wiseman has left Memphis and will hire an agent. This decision came after the NCAA decided to suspend James Wiseman for part of the season. College basketball has lost a talented player because of these decisions.
James Wiseman began informing Memphis coaches in recent days about decision to leave school and sign with an agent. Penny Hardaway pushed hard and attempted to keep his star recruit. After 12-game suspension and $11,500 charity fee discipline, Wiseman is gone from NCAA. https://t.co/SPkfiPynl1
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 19, 2019
Wiseman will now prepare for the 2020 NBA Draft and his future career in professional basketball. This is a blow to the Memphis Tigers who had the number one recruiting class heading into the season. Wiseman was the number one recruit and the staple player for Penny Hardaway’s fresh tenure with his former college team.
The NCAA just lost one of its biggest draws because of a situation it mismanaged. Logical, smart move for James Wiseman. Feel bad for Memphis.
— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) December 19, 2019
The NCAA drew major criticism from former players and coaches alike because of the decision to suspend Wiseman for what appeared to be a minor situation. This could also impact future decisions made by top and talented recruits. This is also a huge blow to a Memphis program that was hoping to rebuild and make the Final Four.
This could end up impacting the future talent level of college basketball when factored in with the potential success of RJ Hampton and Lamelo Ball. This may have been a major miscalculation by the NCAA who is facing pressure and criticism from multiple angles. James Wiseman will not prepare for the 2020 NBA Draft and the rest of his basketball future.
