Memphis Tigers C and potential first overall pick James Wiseman has been suspended by the NCAA, but he will be able to return in time to impress NBA scouts.
Wiseman has to sit 12 games, the NCAA said on Wednesday, which means he's eligible to return on Jan. 12. He must also donate $11,500 to a charity of his choice.
The suspension stems from his head coach, Penny Hardaway, paying his family that same amount he is giving to charity to move to Memphis from Nashville while Wiseman was in high school. It was deemed that Hardaway was considered a booster due to his $1 million donation to the sports hall of fame in the high school 10 years ago.
Wiseman has seen the court in three games already this season, after his attorney filed a restraining order, allowing him the time to play. And everyone saw how dominate he was in those 69 minutes, averaging 19.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and three blocks while shooting 77 percent from the field.
With Wiseman able to return for the second half of the season -- and even more importantly March Madness -- he'll be able to put more work on tape that could solidify his spot as the top pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.
And if the Knicks continue to falter this season, they could very well be targeting Wiseman if they end up with the first overall pick in the NBA Draft lottery. They weren't able to secure that top pick last season, when the Pelicans ended up taking Zion Williamson and the Knicks took RJ Barrett third overall.
At 7-foot-1 with a jumper and crazy athleticism, .Wiseman has been compared to Anthony Davis and Chris Bosh, and next to Mitchell Robinson, the Knicks could have the best young frontcourt in the NBA.
So, remember the name, because when Wiseman returns to college basketball he'll very likely make himself heard again from the jump. You can bet the Knicks will be watching.