NCAA rules Memphis F/C James Wiseman ineligible, temporarily eligible for UIC game [UPDATE]

UPDATE: A Shleby County judge has put a hold on the NCAA’s ineligibility ruling pending further litigation, per Wiseman’s attorney. He is eligible to play tonight against UIC.

A mere three days removed from a debut double double, the NCAA has declared Memphis forward/center James Wiseman to be ineligible. He had 28 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks against South Carolina State.

His attorney, Leslie Ballin, announced the news late Friday afternoon. According to Ballin, the NCAA declared Wiseman ineligible because head coach Penny Hardaway helped him move from Nashville to Memphis and Hardaway is considered a booster due to prior donations. Ballin has filed a lawsuit against the NCAA and Memphis.

Wiseman is a favorite to go No. 1 overall in the 2020 NBA Draft. Prior to the announcement, he was getting the seventh best odds to win the Wooden Award as national player of the year. His odds were at +750, just behind Gonzaga forward Killian Tillie (+700) and just ahead of Kansas guard Devon Dotson (+900) and Marquette guard Markus Howard (+900).

Memphis hosts the University of Illinois-Chicago Friday evening. Memphis is an 18.5-point favorite at DraftKings Sportsbook.