Memphis declares Wiseman ineligible after he drops suit
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.
The 7-foot-1 center withdrew his lawsuit and the dramatic turn of events in the much- debated saga means Wiseman now will sit on Memphis’ bench until the NCAA rules otherwise.
Wiseman 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. But Thursday morning Wiseman’s attorneys announced he withdrew his lawsuit, saying the legal action was not helping resolve the issue.
The university declared Wiseman ineligible once he withdrew his lawsuit, though Memphis officials say they hope to get him back on the court soon as possible
he NCAA first ruled Wiseman eligible in late May, according to his now dropped 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 Memphis’ coach.
The freshman has played in all of Memphis’ first three games, and the 7-foot-1 center is the team’s leading scorer, averaging 19.7 points and 10.7 rebounds. If he decides to leave Memphis after his freshman season, Wiseman would likely be a high pick in next year’s NBA draft and possibly the No. 1 selection overall.
Wiseman’s lawsuit stated the
NCAA declared the center eligible in May after months of investigation and that Hardaway disclosed he gave $11,500 in moving expenses to help the player’s family move from Nashville to Memphis in the summer of 2017 — before Wiseman played at East High School as a junior for Hardaway. The university said in a statement that Wiseman didn’t know about the money given to his family. NO. 19 ARIZONA DOMINATES SAN JOSE STATE » Zeke Nnaji scored 26 points, made all eight of his shots and grabbed 11 rebounds, helping No. 19 Arizona (3- 0) trounce San Jose State 87-39 at home. The Spartans (1-2) were held to 23% shooting, including 2 for 18 from 3-point range.
Arizona took control of the first half by closing with a 20- 4 run to lead 37-16. Eduardo Lane led the Spartans with nine points. KUHSE, TASS HELP SAINT MARY’S BEAT LONG BEACH STATE » Tommy Kuhse had a career-high 20 points and eight assists, and No. 18 Saint Mary’s bounced back three days after losing its home opener and beat Long Beach State 81-63. Matthias Tass added 22 points and five rebounds for the Gaels (2-1).
Women’s college basketball
THIRD-RANKED STANFORD CRUISES » Lacie Hull scored 19 points, and No. 3 Stanford coasted to a 9036 victory over Northern Colorado at Maples Pavilion. DiJonai Carrington and Hailey Jones each added 11 points for the Cardinal (3- 0), who have scored at least 90 points in each of their first three games.
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The result means Djokovic was eliminated with a 1-2 record in the group stage and ensures that Rafael Nadal will keep hold of the year-end No. 1 ranking. Djokovic had a chance to overtake Nadal and equal Pete Sampras’ record of finishing the year as No. 1 for a sixth time by winning the tournament.
Golf
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Soccer
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