Report: Memphis Hopes James Wiseman Will Be Suspended Less Than 9 Games by NCAA

Memphis Tigers officials are hopeful that freshman center James Wiseman will miss no more than nine games as the NCAA investigates a possible violation regarding impermissible benefits, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium. 

"The hope is he misses three, maybe six games," a source familiar with the situation told Charania.

Per Charania, Penny Hardaway provided Wiseman's family $11,500 in 2017 for moving expenses as it relocated to Memphis. Hardaway was not hired as Memphis' coach until March 2018, but the monetary gift could be a violation, as Hardaway was considered a booster.

Rated as the No. 1 overall recruit in the class of 2019 by 247Sports, Wiseman committed to Memphis in November 2018.

Wiseman's eligibility became a topic of conversation on Nov. 8, when the NCAA informed the Tigers that the 18-year-old is "likely ineligible." Though the Tigers initially intended to hold the big man out, they opted to continue playing him after an emergency temporary restraining order was issued.

On Thursday, Wiseman's lawyers announced that they have pulled his lawsuit against the NCAA:

As a result, he was immediately ruled ineligible by Memphis. He will be permitted to practice with the team, but he will not play in any games until the eligibility issue is resolved.

Charania noted that Wiseman plans on re-filing the lawsuit if he is not allowed to return to the court this season.

Wiseman averaged 19.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and 3.0 blocks in three appearances for the Tigers. Memphis went 2-1 with the frosh.

Wiseman is expected to be in the mix for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft.