Nation top recruit James Wiseman picks hometown Memphis, Hardaway
James Wiseman has chosen Memphis and his former high school coach, Penny Hardaway, over Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Kansas and Florida State.
Wiseman announced his decision on Tuesday, Nov. 20 during an edition of Sportscenter on ESPN.
The 7-foot center is the No. 1 recruit in the nation for the 2019 class according to a composite ranking of recruiting sites complied by 247Sports.
Wiseman made his announcement after visits to all five of his final options.
Wiseman averaged 17 points and nine rebounds last season helping Memphis East High win Tennessee’s Class AAA championship for a third straight year.
Hardaway, the Memphis East head coach, was hired by Memphis to take over at his college alma mater soon after that title game and the former NBA star also coached Wiseman on the AAU level with Team Penny.
Wiseman’s decision pushed Memphis up to eighth with three commitments for 2019, a spot behind Kentucky.
“We don’t get every kid,” Kentucky head coach John Calipari said. “We get the ones that we’re supposed to get, and it just kind of plays out that way, it always has.”
Hardaway, a member of the National Federation of High School’s Hall of Fame, was a four-time NBA All-star. He guided the Mustangs to a 94-8 record in three seasons with three state titles before being hired to replace Tubby Smith at Memphis.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. —