No hesitation. No second guessing.

Damion Baugh didn't even need to let the reporter finish asking the question.

The Memphis basketball teammate who has surprised him most?

"To be honest, I'm gonna have to say James," said Baugh, part of the Tigers' seven-member fleet of fantastic freshmen.

That would be James Wiseman, of course. The consensus No. 1 player in the Class of 2019. The versatile talent who stands 7 feet tall and draws regular comparisons to Kevin Garnett. The "unicorn."

Turns out, he's been even better than expected, and Wiseman's new Memphis teammates have taken notice.

"I knew he was good, but seeing it up close is different," Baugh said with confidence. "He's fast. I didn't know he was that fast. Just athletically. The shot-blocking, things like that."

Others, such as Boogie Ellis and Lester Quinones, were slightly more conservative than their fellow guard at first blush, saying their expectations were already so high that nobody had exceeded them through the first few practices. But as their interviews wore on Tuesday, it became clear how highly regarded Wiseman already has become among his contemporaries.

"Just his athletic ability," Quinones said. "As far as his catch-and-lobs. ... The way he jumps. (And) his flexibility is amazing. He can probably touch his toes with his elbows. That's how flexible he is.

"Just great for a big man. His mobility overall is just great. I can't wait to get out there and pick-and-roll with him and just abuse teams with it."

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Ellis couldn't resist, either.

"It's different from watching (his) highlights and actually playing with him," he said. "When you play with him, you see, it's crazy. He ... he ... he ... he's just, like ... he's a unicorn, you know. One of a kind."

Perhaps those playing with Wiseman for the first time are also riding the initial high of realizing what having the versatile big man on their side means for their game.

"James makes it pretty easy," Ellis said. "He's the No. 1 player in the country, so all you've gotta do is throw it up and he's going to go get it. It's crazy."

Wiseman – who has turned into an avid reader, most recently picking up "The Wizenard Series: Training Camp" (created by Kobe Bryant) and the business strategy guide "How To Be A Power Connector" – doesn't mind the attention or the expectations. Since arriving in Memphis and ascending to superstar status at East, the McDonald's All-American, who is projected by many to become a top-five pick in next year's NBA Draft, has gotten used to the near-constant requests for selfies and autographs from fans.

After all, it comes with the territory.

"I became a Memphian really quickly," Wiseman said. "When I came here my junior year of high school, I got adjusted really quickly. The people here are amazing in terms of basketball. I've had a great time being here the past few years."

Now, he's ready to make good on the months of anticipation that has mounted daily since committing to the Tigers in November. Summer practices began just last week, but Wiseman said things already are starting to blossom.

"The team concept is just to get it and go," he said. "We've got a fast-tempo offensive mindset. So I'm just trying to be versatile. Get the rebound and go, just trying to (play like) a guard. The pick-and-roll and different type ideas I'm putting in my game and trying to work on them."

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