2020 NBA draft profile: Memphis center James Wiseman
By Matthew Way
With the 2020 NBA Draft quickly approaching, we take a closer look at Memphis center James Wiseman, who is expected to be a top-three pick.
Each year, there seems to be a massive wild card expected to go early in the lottery portion of the NBA draft. This year, James Wiseman fits that description perfectly.
Considered the top prospect in the 2019 high school class, Wiseman’s time at Memphis University under former NBA star Anfernee Hardaway was quickly cut short. Following his regular season debut, the NCAA suspended the big man after discovering Hardaway contributed money for Wiseman’s family to move to Memphis to be closer to the budding freshman.
After playing one more game following a court injunction of the NCAA’s ruling, Wiseman was officially suspended for 12 days following an out-of-court agreement. In the middle of that suspension, Wiseman elected to sit out the remainder of the season and prepare for the draft.
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His tumultuous, short-lived career in Memphis left draft evaluators with very little to work with in projecting the talented big. Sure, he dominated the high school ranks. And he put up an impressive 28 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks against a poor South Carolina State in his college debut. But we never saw how he would perform against high-level college competition. Months later, that conundrum persists.
With little meaningful film on Wiseman, projections involve even more guesswork than normal usual. With that in mind, let’s take a look at his strengths, weaknesses, and overall outlook.
2020 NBA Draft Profile
Name: James Wiseman
Height: 7’1” (7’6” wingspan)
Weight: 237 pounds
Position: Center
College: Memphis
NBA Comparison: Hassan Whiteside
2019-2020 statistics
19.7 PPG
10.7 RPG
3.0 BPG
76.9 FG%
70.4 FT%
James Wiseman strengths
There is little doubt that Wiseman is one of the most physically gifted prospects in the entire draft. Standing at 7’1” with a 7’6” wingspan and “jump out of the gym” athleticism, the Memphis product is a potential nightmare for opposing defenses.
His limited film reveals an active, energetic rebounder and potential in the post. If he truly has a high motor, Wiseman could be an absolute terror on the boards when he combines it with his elite measurables. His natural strength should bring success in the post if he develops a high-level move or two at the next level.
Offensively, his ideal role will be that of a rim runner. He has the wide body to be a good screener, though his skill and understanding of how to execute in those situations is to be determined. Regardless, he will surely be a focal point of opposing defenses given how his length and athleticism bring an elite catch radius near the rim. Depending on how his body control translates, he could be an unstoppable force rolling to the paint.
Defensively, his huge frame and leaping ability will undoubtedly be a deterrent to opponents. He should be a passable rim protector just by virtue of those physical skills with the potential to be something special.