Stock Up: James Wiseman, C, Memphis
No, sadly James Wiseman will not be participating in feast week. However, we once thought this would be a lost year for James Wiseman after it was uncovered the Tigers head coach Penny Hardaway gave the Wiseman family 11 thousand dollars to move to Memphis and play AAU ball.
A season-ending prematurely would not have been a death sentence to Wiseman’s NBA Draft stock, but it still would’ve left a lot of unanswered questions. While other prospects earn the headlines as Wiseman sits on the pine, the biggest factor would have been not being able to evaluate him.
Coming into the year NBA Scouts and media alike had questions about James Wiseman’s motor. We did not get to see if that was simply just an “I am bored playing in high school” issue or a problem that will follow Wiseman. Now, however, Wiseman will be back in 12 games and able to show NBA scouts what he can do in a real game. Once these Tigers get into the big dance, anything can happen, and with him coming back I still stand with my Memphis to the final four pick.
Along with a 12 game ban, James Wiseman also has to donate money to a charity of his choice, 11,500 dollars to be exact. Now, where does the NCAA expect Wiseman to come up with this money? Yet another puzzling verdict from the most corrupt sports association.
Again, Wiseman was my top prospect entering the year, but he still has questions that can not be answered at the NBA Combine (that he probably will not partake in) or team workouts. It is a huge deal that the freshman will not be able to showcase his skills in a real game, against true competition.