Memphis star Wiseman drops lawsuit vs. NCAA
James Wiseman and his advisers have decided a legal battle with the NCAA is not the best way to keep the heralded freshman on the basketball court for the Memphis Tigers.
The 7-foot-1, 240-pound center has withdrawn his lawsuit, a dramatic turn of events in the much-debated saga that means Wiseman will sit on the bench until the NCAA rules otherwise.
He successfully won the opening round against the NCAA and the university, obtaining a restraining order to continue playing after being ruled likely ineligible for receiving improper benefits from Penny Hardaway in summer 2017, before he became coach of the Tigers. Wiseman’s attorneys announced Thursday he had withdrawn his lawsuit, saying the legal action was not helping resolve the matter.
“It has become clear to Mr. Wiseman that the lawsuit he filed last week has become an impediment to the University of Memphis in its efforts to reach a fair and equitable resolution with the NCAA concerning his eligibility status. Therefore, Mr. Wiseman advised his legal team that he wished to withdraw his lawsuit,” the law firm of Ballin, Ballin and Fishman posted on Twitter.
Wiseman stepped into the national spotlight — with his university’s support — by standing up against the NCAA in the courts. He had the city of Memphis, Tigers fans and the university president and athletic director on his side. Seven days and two games after obtaining the restraining order, Wiseman’s fate was returned to the hands of the NCAA — like all those athletes before him.
“Keep The Faith, Trust God, Continue on my Path. My Story isn’t Finished,” Wiseman wrote on Twitter.
The university declared Wiseman ineligible once he withdrew his lawsuit, though school officials said they hope to get him back on the court as soon as possible.
Memphis released a statement Thursday that read in part: “The university supports the decision, as it believes it is in James’ and the men’s basketball team’s best interests to resolve his eligibility issue expeditiously through the NCAA process.”
School officials said they are immediately applying for Wiseman to be reinstated. Until then, Wiseman will be held out of games but can practice with the No. 13 Tigers (2-1).
“The NCAA is fully aware of the unique nature and challenges in this particular case, and the university is confident that the NCAA will render a fair and equitable decision consistent with its mission,” officials said in the statement.
The NCAA first ruled
Wiseman eligible in late May, according to his lawsuit. Then the NCAA sent Memphis a letter saying Wiseman was likely ineligible for receiving what the governing body deemed impermissible benefits from Hardaway before the former NBA star became head coach at his alma mater in 2018.
Wiseman and the university had essentially thumbed their nose at the NCAA. The freshman obtained a temporary restraining order an hour before Memphis played its second game Nov. 8. After the legal action, the Tigers proudly put Wiseman at center stage in the starting lineup of a rout of Illinois-Chicago. They then played him in a loss Tuesday night at No. 14 Oregon.
The freshman has played in all three games so far this season for the Tigers and is their leading scorer, having averaged 19.7 points and 10.7 rebounds. If he decides to leave after his freshman season, Wiseman would likely be a high pick in next year’s NBA draft and possibly the No. 1 selection overall.
NCAA spokeswoman Stacey Osburn declined to comment on Wiseman’s status Thursday when contacted by The Associated Press. The NCAA made it clear with Wiseman on the court soon after the temporary restraining order was granted that it had told Memphis the freshman was “likely ineligible.”