2019 Flo40 No. 2 James Wiseman Keeps Making The Right Moves
Aug 31, 2017
James Wiseman is no stranger to change. The 6-foot-10 athletic forward switched from Bradley Beal Elite (MO) to Team Penny (TN) in the middle of the Nike EYBL season and now has moved high schools prior to his junior season.
Following two years at Ensworth (TN), Wiseman, who led Team Penny in points (10.2 per game), rebounds (4.8) and blocks (2.4) at Nike Peach Jam, enrolled at two-time defending state champion Memphis East (TN) for the 2017-18 campaign, where he will play with his summer teammates Alex Lomax, Chandler Lawson, and Malcolm Dandridge and for former NBA All-Star Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway.
However, as The Commercial Appeal points out, there could potentially be eligibility issues for the now No. 2 prospect in the 2019 Flo40.
Here is an excerpt from the story:
“Wiseman played at Nashville-based Ensworth School previously, and his ties to Team Penny and East assistant coach Anfernee 'Penny' Hardaway could force him to sit out this season due to TSSAA transfer rules.
“According to section 13 of the TSSAA handbook, “If a student with an athletic record transfers to a new school where an ‘athletic coaching link’ existed in the past 12 months, that student is ineligible for 12 months at all levels in the specific sports where a linkage was present.”
“The rule goes on to state that an athletic coaching link could include, “playing on non-school (independent) teams (and then transferring to that coach’s school).”
“At issue will be whether the TSSAA deems Penny Hardaway to have coached Wiseman with Team Penny in recent months.
“Though Hardaway founded Team Penny five years ago and remains active within the organization, he was not listed as the program director or a coach with Team Penny this year. Former Arkansas star Todd Day was officially the coach of the Team Penny EYBL team that Wiseman joined in May.”
While nothing has been ruled, or even addressed, the move is rather significant for the Mustangs, who will be one of the top teams in the country to start the season, and for Wiseman in playing a tougher, national schedule.
It’s hard not to like Wiseman’s game. He’s big, long, and explosive. He runs the floor with ease, can finish above the rim, and has a nice touch away from the basket.
Wiseman might not be a stranger to change, but he keeps making the right moves on and off the court.
