Soobum Im/USA TODAY Sports
Almost a week after the NCAA ruled James Wiseman ineligible, but he continued to play, the Memphis star will now opt to sit after dropping his lawsuit against the institution.
Last week, the NCAA ruled Wiseman ineligible after they learned that Memphis Head Coach Penny Hardaway provided Wiseman and his family with $11,500 to move to Memphis while he was still in high school. Despite Hardaway not being the coach of Memphis at the time, the NCAA still said that Hardaway was a booster and ruled the arrangement as improper benefits. Hardaway had donated $1 million to the school in 2008 in order to build a sports Hall of Fame.
Memphis boldly supported Wiseman, allowing the freshman to continue to play after a court ruled a temporary restraining order against the NCAA and their decision.
However, today, Wiseman advised his lawyers to drop the lawsuit and Memphis has ruled him ineligible.
Lawyers for potential No. 1 pick James Wiseman have issued the following statement on withdrawing lawsuit against the NCAA and Memphis. pic.twitter.com/y7m6qjojyN
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 14, 2019
Wiseman will now sit, but Memphis will still apply for reinstatement. It is unclear how long the process will take.
Wiseman, who is the potential no. 1 overall pick in next year’s NBA Draft, was averaging 19.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and 3.0 blocks through three games.
