The nation’s top ranked prospect, James Wiseman, is ready to announce his college decision.

In a surprise move, Wiseman, a 7-footer out of Memphis (Tenn.) East, will now make his choice public during the early signing period. Wiseman confirmed to 247Sports that he will announce on Tuesday at Noon ET on SportsCenter.

Wiseman’s list includes Florida State, Kansas, Kentucky, Memphis and Vanderbilt.

While the public list is at five, the actual contenders heading down the stretch are Florida State, Kentucky and Memphis.

THE SCHOOLS

Florida State

It’s probably a surprise to most that I would include them among the contenders, as most think this race was always Kentucky and Memphis. I’m one of the few that thought otherwise. Regardless the Seminoles did a very good job recruiting him and were able to establish a relationship with Wiseman and his family. By all accounts he enjoyed his visit there and Florida State pitched him on doing something different and making a move similar to Jonathan Isaac. Wiseman took his official visit to FSU the weekend of Oct. 19.



Kentucky

If Penny Hardaway doesn’t land at Memphis, then it’s my belief that this recruitment would have been over a long time ago and he would have landed at Kentucky. But Hardaway is the head coach at Memphis, so it’s a moot point. Kentucky was among the first schools to prioritize him, even sending an assistant for the duration of the FIBA u16 Americas Championship in 2017. Usually when Kentucky prioritizes a kid the way they have Wiseman, they get him. But this one feels different down the stretch. Wiseman took his visit to Kentucky’s campus the weekend of Sept. 7.



Memphis

The city of Memphis has been waiting for this day since Hardaway took over as the head coach. Tiger fans wanted a coach that would prioritize the local kids, while also recruiting nationally. Hardaway and his staff have done just that. In fact, every kid that Hardaway has recruited out of the Memphis area, he’s gotten. Hardaway has personally handled the Wiseman recruitment. He’s the big prize: the No. 1 player in the country. They teamed up to win a title together at Memphis (Tenn.) East last season. Will they team up for another run? Of his five official visits, Wiseman went to Memphis last, the weekend of Oct. 27.

THE PREDICTION

I logged a prediction for Kentucky more than a year and a half ago. At that time, I firmly believe Kentucky was in position to land Wiseman. But a lot has changed in a year and a half. His former high school coach is now the head coach at Memphis and he’s based in a city that is begging for him to stay home. Even Memphis rappers have made stops at Wiseman’s house. He took an official visit to Memphis last and has been on campus countless a number of other times over the past few weeks. On Tuesday, following Wiseman’s announcement, Memphis East is scheduled to play against Olive Branch, which is home to current Memphis pledge DJ Jeffries. He'll step on the court with high school teammate and Memphis pledge Malcolm Dandridge. Memphis has Wiseman surrounded. Prediction: Memphis

THE EVALUATION

Ranked as the top prospect in the country, Wiseman is a special talent that stands 7-feet tall and is equipped with a 7-6 wingspan and a standing reach of 9-3.5. Wiseman excels as a rim runner, moves fluidly up and down the court and is an impressive all-around athlete. Wiseman has very good hands, can go over his left shoulder for jump hooks and has developed his jump shot, especially from mid-range. Defensively, Wiseman slides his feet well for a guy his size. He’s smart on that end and has good instincts. Wiseman is a good area rebounder, but could certainly improve in this area, as well as a shot blocker. Wiseman is projected to be a one and done prospect and will be in contention to be the top overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.