MEMPHIS, Tenn. (localmemphis.com) – Friday, Memphis men’s basketball coach Penny Hardaway addressed –on-camera for the first time– the departure of star freshman James Wiseman.
Thursday, Wiseman announced in an Instagram post he has withdrawnfrom the University of Memphis and will prepare for the NBA draft, where he’sexpected to be a Top 5 pick.
Wiseman had served seven games of a 12-game suspension by the NCAAand was slated to return January 12th at South Florida.
The NCAA suspension was tied to moving expenses in 2017 paid byHardaway – before he was Memphis’ head coach – to Wiseman’s mother, which theNCAA deemed were impermissible benefits because of a 2008 donation made to theU of M by Hardaway.
The Tigers were undefeated in Wiseman’s absence.
The news conference is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Friday.
Local 24 News reporter Brad Broders will live tweet. Follow Brad @Local24Brad.
Local 24 News will have full reaction on air beginning at 5PM.