The NCAA has ruled Memphis Tigers freshman center James Wiseman, the potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, ineligible to play.
Memphis attorney Leslie Ballin announced that the NCAA ruled Wiseman ineligible after it learned Memphis coach Penny Hardaway helped finance Wiseman and his family move to Memphis in high school.
The NCAA deemed Penny as a booster and because of the financial assistance he gave to Wiseman in 2018, Wiseman was deemed ineligible for receiving financial benefits.
It’s a massive blow for Memphis, who is currently ranked No. 14 in the country and won its first game of the season behind a dominant collegiate debut by Wiseman. The freshman center scored 28 points with 11 rebounds, three blocks and made 11-of-14 shots.