Star freshman James Wiseman leaves Memphis basketball to begin preparing for NBA draft

Jason Munz | The Commercial Appeal

James Wiseman has formally withdrawn from the University of Memphis, the freshman star confirmed on his Instagram on Thursday.

Wiseman will immediately begin preparing for the NBA draft, he posted. The Tigers' 7-foot-1 preseason All-American is viewed as a potential No. 1 pick in 2020, according to several projections.

The former East High star and Nashville native played in three games for the Memphis Tigers before being ruled ineligible by the NCAA. On Nov. 5, the NCAA informed the university that Wiseman had been deemed ineligible "based on alleged recruiting violations." On the same day, Wiseman made his college debut and scored 28 points to go along with 11 rebounds.

Wiseman averaged 19.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and three blocks.

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"We wish nothing but the best for James in his future endeavors as he follows his dreams. He will truly be missed," Memphis coach Penny Hardaway said in a statement.

The University of Memphis athletic department also issued a statement Thursday.

"Although disappointing, the UofM supports James and his family in his decision to leave to prepare for the 2020 NBA Draft, and will continue to follow James in what will certainly prove to be a successful career," it read.

The Memphis coaching staff was aware Wiseman was strongly considering withdrawing from school, a source within the athletic department told The Commercial Appeal Thursday. As recently as 1 p.m. Thursday, the coaching staff was still working to set up meetings with Wiseman in an effort to convince him to stay, the same source said.

"They found out (the) same time as everyone else (that) he actually did it," the source said.

Wiseman's ineligibility stemmed from a $11,500 payment made by Hardaway to Wiseman's mother, Donzaleigh Artis, during the summer of 2017 for moving expenses when Hardaway was the coach at East. Because Hardaway is considered a University of Memphis booster due to his donation of $1 million to the school's athletic department in 2008, he is prohibited from providing financial assistance to prospective athletes and/or their families, according to NCAA bylaws.

Upon being ruled ineligible, Wiseman sought a temporary restraining order against the NCAA and the university so he could continue to play. After playing two more games, he dropped the pending litigation.

The NCAA subsequently ruled Wiseman must sit out a total of 12 games, making him eligible to return on Jan. 12 for Memphis' game at South Florida. He also would have had to contribute $11,500 to a charity of his choice by 2023 as a condition of reinstatement.

Memphis' appeal of the NCAA's ruling was denied.

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This story will be updated.