Ja Morant is the latest to show support for Memphis Tigers center James Wiseman after the NCAA opted to suspend the five-star prospect for a total of 12 games for receiving improper benefits prior to enrolling at the university.
Wiseman was originally ruled ineligible to play on Nov. 8 for recruiting inducements his family received when Penny Hardaway helped the 18-year-old move from Nashville to Memphis in 2017 before he became head coach of the Tigers. Hardaway was considered to be a booster for the program after donating money to the school in 2008.
The decision by the NCAA did not sit well with many in the basketball community as the likes of LeBron James, Reggie Miller and others voiced their frustrations with the ruling. Morant was the latest to show support for Wiseman.
#FreeJamesWiseman 🔓
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) November 23, 2019
Morant has shown support to Memphis several times since joining the Grizzlies. He has been seen on campus at practice and has acted as an unofficial recruiter for the university, as well.
Wiseman is projected to be a top-five pick in the 2020 NBA Draft and some even believe he can potentially be the top pick. The arrival of Wiseman helped Hardaway have the No. 1 recruiting class in the country.
In three games this season, Wiseman is averaging 19.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and three blocks per game. Wiseman is eligible to return on Jan. 12 against USF.
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