Memphis' James Wiseman Suspended for 12 Games, Ordered to Donate $11,500 to Charity

Memphis freshman and potential No. 1 pick, James Wiseman, has been suspended for 12 games by the NCAA, Shams Charania reports. 

Wiseman will be eligible to take the court on Jan. 12 for the Tigers' contest against South Florida. Along with sitting out 12 games, the NCAA has ordered Wiseman to donate $11,500 to a "charity of his choice."

The donation is in response to the $11,500 that Wiseman's family allegedly received from coach Penny Hardaway. Penny was accused of providing financial assistance to Wiseman's family during their move to Memphis in 2017. Hardaway also coached Wisemen in his Team Penny/Bluff City Legends grassroots program and at East High School, before taking over as Memphis' head coach. 

The accusations were first revealed earlier this month. Wiseman responded by filing a lawsuit against the NCAA, which he withdrew last week. The University of Memphis reportedly assured Wiseman and his legal team that it was working towards getting him a fair decision. Going forward with his lawsuit would only complicate the process. 

"It has become clear to Mr. Wiseman that the lawsuit he filed last week has become an impediment to the University of Memphis in its efforts to reach a fair and equitable resolution with the NCAA concerning his eligibility status. Therefore, Mr. Wiseman advised his legal team that he wished to withdraw his lawsuit," the law firm of Ballin, Ballin, and Fishman told Fox News. 

Memphis confirmed that the university made the NCAA aware of the case's "unique nature and challenges" and that it was confident the governing body would "render a fair and equitable decision consistent with its mission."