James Wiseman, ESPN's No. 1 basketball recruit in 2019, picks Memphis | SportsCenter

The No. 1 basketball recruit in the Class of 2019, James Wiseman, commits to the University of Memphis on SportsCenter live much to the delight of the crowd in attendance.
(0:05) Get to know James Wiseman
(1:10) Wiseman's No. 1 priority when choosing a team
(1:48) Wiseman makes his choice
(3:42) Paul Biancardi analyzes Wiseman's game
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[@GEEZYEA777]

Penny was his coach in high school for anyone wondering why he picked Memphis

[@trelanding]

Lil Penny Knew!!

[@jr5296]

Why are you repeating what the video already said?

[@GEEZYEA777]

liftingcarbsdaily - When the video was posted I seen multiple people comment “Why Memphis?”

[@brianhill2171]

he’s also memphis born and raised

[@thedevilsmilk]

I was wondering why use a unicorn.

[@persistentlypathetic6820]

Memphis hasnt gotten a talent this good since Derrick Rose

[@muddywaters2818]

Tyreke Evans

[@yoooitsburz5141]

j isbell har har

[@persistentlypathetic6820]

@j isbell That was really disrespectful. I think you owe Mr.Rose an apology

[@chriseanmarsden179]

j isbell blame coach cal as well he’s the one behind it.

[@chriseanmarsden179]

j isbell and he’s done well for an illiterate thug. If they didn’t force players to go he would’ve went right out of high school.

[@mrjonsey]

I like this decision. Not every high profile recruit needs to go to Duke UK or Kansas. They’ll get their fair share.

[@persistentlypathetic6820]

If they want to win they should go to those 3 Schools

[@SDA5up]

@@persistentlypathetic6820 no one gives a fuck about winning in college thats why theres so many one and dones dumbass the main goal is to make it in the league...

[@lilcourtny08]

Kansas? They really not getting the best players all the time. It's in the middle of nowhere. Major culture shock if any went to Kansas

[@basketball5152]

@@persistentlypathetic6820 if you want to go the league you go to a school that you know for a fact will start you right away and let you take 25 shots a game

[@kentnar2652]

Thank god he didn’t go to Duke

[@runninwitdatmop152]

Abhay Iyer7 why not?

[@maxkellerman850]

Duke is getting another 7 footer: KD

[@runninwitdatmop152]

Max Kellerman omfg😂😂😂😂😘

[@persistentlypathetic6820]

Oh don't worry, Duke will get another 3 top 5 prospects to replace him

[@michaeljordan7207]

Might be a rough year for duke next year.... But nigga please this year is all ours

[@bonesmoney]

The Penny Hardaway effect...

[@da1prospek]

Exactly bro!

[@yos5177]

Stfu

[@talentedmrflowers]

@@yos5177 we got a Kentucky derby jock rider mad 😂😂😂

[@rahilarora3792]

bonesmoney word!

[@shlomoweis5974]

This dude has the deepest voice ever

[@jeremiahtisdell4823]

Morgan Freeman

[@jeremiahtisdell4823]

John legend

[@chillibeanyfn8560]

nigga sound like he 40

[@rocketfatts7769]

Havesum85 no it’s cause he is 7 feet

[@carlmax5577]

he is still 17

[@tysondavis3332]

John Calapari losing his mind right now

[@drax141]

Frfr my first thought

[@warrenl1991]

As a guy that lives in Memphis and supports the Tigers. I’m happy James Wiseman decided to choose Memphis. And for those wondering why it’s because he lives down here in Memphis and attends East High School. He also played for Penny in AAU. And also cause he knows Penny is putting together a competitive team and that we can win. Now if he would’ve chosen any school other than Memphis I was hoping it was Kentucky. Why? John Calipari. He was the coach of the Memphis Tigers from 2000-2009. I grew up watching John coach and I’ll always support John.

[@shanenelson5811]

I was trying to say the same thing to people accusing the Missouri Tigers of cheating last year when the partial #1 recruit Michael Porter Jr. Had committed to play for them. His dad had gotten an assistant coaching job there, but the family was literally from Columbia, Missouri, and it is where the Porter kids were raised. Anyone screaming "Cheaters, or scandal" should shut the hell up. We need more kids staying close to home, and saying no to the bluebloods. The parity in college athletics is honestly getting old. Hopefully he makes a larger contribution to the team than Porter Jr. did for the university of Missouri, although injuries are something that can't be avoided in athletics. I have no doubt that if Michael Porter Jr. had been healthy for them last year, he would probably have been a top 3 pick, and shown some ridiculous moments. I am glad he picked Memphis. Hopefully you guys make some runs in next couple of years. Cheers from a Kansas State fan in Kansas City.

[@Keezus.]

I don't know why people get so emotional about this anyway like, the kid is going to be gone from the school in 6months

[@DCarloss]

good for our city. im a class under him. REAL humble guy

[@charlesfarmer3089]

That was better than sex when Hardaway yanked Wiseman from Calipari! Traitor Cal. Lying POS! Hope Memphis meets them in the tournament and kicks their ass all the way home!!!

[@Will-dt5kh]

You can’t be a true Memphis fan and support John. He snaked is

[@200blockwildboy]

Shoutout to the lil caramel snack sitting behind him

[@jairwest5]

Brandon Maurice fr baby bad.

[@davidguizlo6157]

She is fine

[@CuddyTG]

Right? I need that @

[@jeremymorris2713]

I knew somebody was going say it 😂

[@deltawick4524]

Jair West mannnnnn she sum nice

[@GoodyearSimp]

Penny already doing wonders for Memphis!

[@kabwayaa]

Nigga from Diary of a Mad Black Woman YOUR USERNAME HAS ME CHOKING

[@jellyb3ankilla]

Damn that uproar, thats a great feeling right there baby!

[@1utube01]

Yet again disproving Tubby Smith's efforts to demoralize the fanbase. In less than 1 year, Penny has proven Tubby was just a vehicle of disinformation and reduced expectations. From Tubby's claim that "no Memphis player wants to play at the Univ of Memphis anymore" to 6 Memphis high school players Tubby would have lost. GTG. Suck it, Dakich.

[@charliewilliams9722]

Clobbersaurus indeed

[@fredsavage3396]

First Dj Jeffreys and now James Wiseman lits go Memphis

[@mattdaggett3695]

Adding Wiseman with lomax Jeffries and the other kids....they will be awesome next year

[@shanenelson5811]

Wow, finally Duke, Kentucky, and all the other Blue Bloods are beaten for the top of the list in recruiting. Memphis will be fun to watch for awhile with Penny at the helm. Let's see if this gets them making noise in March again. I miss those elite Memphis teams that we last seen with Calipari running their motion, and dribble & drive offenses of the 2000's. This will be an elite powerhouse for awhile if Penny can coach the X&O's. They have an elite hotbed of recruiting in that area. They are really a sleeping giant in College basketball. Especially with Louisville being down recently. Not very many local nearby elite competitors in recruiting besides Kentucky currently, and there is more than enough to go around when there is only 2 local powerhouses getting most of the bluechip kids.

[@yourtypicalbamafan5438]

This is about to elevate Memphis recruiting.

[@Super-J10]

WHOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!! This is just the beginning....

[@bhill005]

Staying true to his home roots; I like it. Up next, drafted in the top 5 of the 2020 NBA Draft by Memphis Grizzlies. Watch, you saw it here first, haha.

[@babycakessr.8704]

bhill005 nah we need a shooting guard or small forward

[@bhill005]

Brandon Belk The Grizz could possibly get a nice wing player in the 2019 draft. But, we're talking about 2020 here. Marc Gasol may start wearing down by then. Wiseman could be a very solid pick up based on such a scenario. But, hey, I just like a good hometown hero story, haha.

[@ashtonklepko270]

@@babycakessr.8704 that's why you pick rj barrett in 2019 and Wiseman in 2020

[@EliBatcheller]

Nah bruh this dude got paid

[@kengy1991]

Yes! Memphis! Go Tigers Go!!!

[@angellester6276]

Memphis💯💯

[@ernestotrippn9296]

Watch his eye around 1:54 how does it just go back to normal after that

[@robertpaige4505]

It is NOT "East Memphis High." It's just "East High!"

[@nicholasmayfield3963]

Its Memphis east actually

[@DeCoriyanMarquis]

Nicholas Mayfield it’s EAST HIGH SCHOOL ACTUALLY

[@DennerTheLaker]

DeCoriyanMarquis It's Memphis East we just call it East High here in Memphis because there's no point of saying the Memphis part

[@DeCoriyanMarquis]

Denner TheLaker I’m from Memphis as well never heard of it to be that until I start seeing them on espn

[@DeCoriyanMarquis]

Marques Smith Facts fasho I went to Craigmont we had sum junts there fasho

[@chillibeanyfn8560]

Boy you been knowing you was going to Memphis

[@josecolon2201]

I’m glad weisman choose Memphis penny will make Memphis good again

[@Vnotedamost]

Coach Penny fist to start getting all the TOP RECURITS

[@katieweeks9259]

I’ve only lived in Memphis for 4 months- the excitement was amazing- what’s happening right now is 🗑 .

[@jamesross1798]

Congrats!!!! to James Wiseman and the U of M. I'm glad these kids are deciding to stay home to show the world what Memphis can do if we all come together. My message to those outside recruiters recruiting out of Memphis #NoMoPlayInMemphis #WeReady

[@doctor2kgreen256]

❗️❗️❗️❗️❗️❗️❗️❗️❗️❗️❗️❗️❗️ CURRENT L STANDINGS IN SPORTS 1: cavaliers 2: dez Bryant 3: raiders 4: falcons 5: ty Lue 6: buccaneers defense 7: hue Jackson 8: sun team 9: jets 10: KD, green

[@eastblue42]

Your a bucs fan coming at the jets..? Your QB is a rapist

[@evanniemeyer4148]

Fultz

[@jr5296]

add mcregor and 49ers

[@jr5296]

@@eastblue42 rapist? how?

[@shanenelson5811]

@@eastblue42-Damn. Well, that escalated quickly..Lol.

[@JayTheRealest1]

*MEMPHIS STAND UP!! LET'S GO!!*

[@Itzjjgang]

Little did he kno...

[@85jmurk]

Its good he went with Memphis. Duke, Kentucky and Kansas getting all of the top players every year has made college basketball boring and predictable.

[@stiltmansstilt1014]

Yet last yrs final was Michigan Nova and yr before that was Gonzaga and UNC, and yr before that Nova won.. Duke won like 4yrs ago and was only time since any team u mentioned has even played in the final game.

[@lilcourtny08]

Kansas? Kansas has a major disadvantage. KU is in the middle of nowhere and not many people of other races are there. That's why the football team sucks every year.

[@ubtrapper3077]

Rainbow Unicorn huh? Geez, thank goodness he went to Memphis!

[@WaynePeeples]

MEMPHIS TIGERS 4 LIFE💯🎩

[@qvidz1135]

He played for Penny HS and AAU it was common sense he went to Memphis 😁😁

[@saintlaurent1205]

ESPN literally gave it away. It said the location of where he was announcing his commitment at Memphis lmao

[@unclewatt9028]

A rainbow unicorn hmm very interesting choice 🤣😂🤣🤣 JK but I still won’t to know the connection with the rainbow unicorn...Tigers back baby

[@dannyjones6606]

Legooooo I'm tryna get tickets to all the home games this year no cap!

[@dttheemperor]

GO TIGERS GO!

[@shirleymatthews9651]

Congrats to the Memphis Tigers and Coach Penny Hardaway hopefully he isn't another one and done and stays there for the full four years and gets his college degree as well and graduates from there

[@kevinford6372]

Look at that smile at the end. He wants 2 be here. 1cent building a monster

[@julioelchavez2889]

He better not lie on his SAT score like rose....

[@rabsinay5791]

But that shows a level of intelligence to decide you'll be better off if someone else takes it for you

[@Keezus.]

That shit doesn’t fucking matter. By the school not accepting him throng ones losing out are him. Ben Simmons failed all his classes and was still fucking playing because these kids generate so much damn money for these schools. Better to have him than to lose out on millions and have another school just swipe him up.

[@Karma-hy6ki]

Most famous ppl especially athletes are actually really stupid

[@Karma-hy6ki]

Isaiah Robinson i isn’t know if he is but I’ll take ur word for it. Some ppl are just born smart. But athletes sat score matters? I didn’t even know rose lied. Don’t they get into the college they want cuz of their basketball programs and the only requirement being passing????

[@IsmokeHiphopLive]

go back to cutting my grass hector

[@jstiles1659]

Kentucky out of all of them but his decision is whatever

[@JayTheRealest1]

*Lmao fuck Kentucky. Dudes can barely get any shine because they're playing with so many other stars*

[@kabwayaa]

You mad?

[@ADeeManz]

Creux exactly James will have the opportunity to become a legend at Memphis.

[@JR805x]

Jay Lee fuck Kentucky

[@KoreyHill]

Man, don't anyone in Memphis just really care about Kentucky that way. Guys in Memphis originally, to me, hoop "better" than the whole state of Kentucky. That's not to disrespect but just competitive nature through witnessing different game. That grit is "real" in the 901, and when they really play together, I've always noticed that the town/city was meant for the game. I can never forget how real Memphis sports is when guys play at a high level (forgive my rant, but defense is where it's at).

[@Kvngjairo]

Good thing I go to Cordova and get to see him play

[@TheSportsPROgram]

pathetic....he played 3 games now let for the NBA

[@blackmayb3]

I only saw Cari Champion and dudes sister

[@siam9914]

Hopefully GSW gets him!! Tanking mode activated!!

[@alphariusomegon6710]

Penny Hardaway will be happy

[@datrandompersononyoutube3061]

Memphis unicorns? Wtf

[@1utube01]

That Guy It's a reference to a minicrew he has made with 2 other 5 star players, one of them in Florida, the other one I don't recall. And that is also a reference to his skillset, a skillset first widely used to describe Porzingis, bigs who can protect the rim defensively and stretch the floor offensively beyond the arc. So, it makes sense.

[@fodaydolley138]

Search up Unicorn fam

[@AMBlEN]

He’s apart of the uniforn fam

[@gavinlowery2132]

They’re the tigers

[@goofythanos4969]

Clobbersaurus Jalen green

[@KevinCummingsFitness]

Should’ve chose West Virginia

[@groku4.2.08]

Get us a 🏆 Penny #GoTigers

[@KoreyHill]

@j isbell Right? Guys in Memphis laughing on the floor while raising a trophy? All glory to God! We feel you on that statement!

[@g.o.a.t2x919]

Just so you guys know he is from Nashville not Memphis....he didn’t stay home he just stayed instate ....wiseman is going to be the big man Memphis has been needing for a long time‼️🔥🔥

[@TBlack2H]

I just need her @name in the back

[@deltawick4524]

Tariq on me bro 😂

[@sethstine4698]

He seems like a pretty down to Earth guy (sans the Unicorn; but hey, that's all the rage right now). Being from Memphis, I'm glad he commited; says a lot about Penny. Also, had he not commited, Memphis wouldn't have had the #1 recruiting class. So many other top prospects came aboard after Wiseman commited. When it was rumored Memphis was the favorite to acquire Wiseman, Vegas odds had Memphis at 60/1 to win the National Championship. After he commited, the odds changed to 38/1. After Wiseman, a half a dozen 4/5 stars commited to Memphis, giving us the number One recruiting class in the nation. After that, Vegas set the odds at 25/1, then 20/1, then 12/1. As of right now, only 4 teams have better odds than Memphis to win the National Championship this season. Michigan State (6/1) and Duke, Kentucky, and Kansas (all at 8/1). So...dont sleep on Memphis this year. I'm willing to bet that most people (outside of Memphis) do not realize that Memphis is poised to not only make the NCAA Tournament, but to make a deep run in it as well. They will be a preseason top 7 team. With the #1 recruiting class, anything less than a Sweet Sixteen bid would be shocking. Yet to the folks here in Memphis, including myself, even not making the Elite 8 would be a disappointment. Go Tigers!

[@k.t.harmon343]

Not surprised

[@Matteo1Napolitano]

Good to see a kid want to stay home and help push a program in the right direction. Memphis is a great school with a lot of potential. Good luck James

[@uglynaija]

Why his right eye so red? So off topic

[@Pookie_Poo843]

Gr8 choice bruh!!

[@ernestotrippn9296]

Don’t want to seem crazy but how did his eye do that.... that boy a clone 😂

[@Versatileathlete1]

Its crazy i saw him playing in middle school and he went from nothing to #1

[@Htiy]

Our school is playing him tomorrow.. im scared

[@arquisstewart9729]

and people saying why Memphis just think about how many other players he talked to thats coming here

[@bigsnow2343]

Kentucky ain’t won shit since AD left and wonder why the real blue chip players not coming there🤦🏾‍♂️ that money well running dry huh Cal 😂

[@perryking8272]

Once he is in the NBA for awhile, his sister will end up with another baller or someone with money then divorce him and take that guys money. ITS A CYCLE!

[@CuddyTG]

Wait James Wiseman is a real guy? He's a Honolulu legend in MyLeague in 2K

[@Keezus.]

Fucking kill me I wanted whim to go to UK. Hopefully vareen goes joins us

[@DCarloss]

🤟🏾lets go

[@chrisjohnson5098]

I wish more kids would stay home

[@charliewilliams9722]

LETS GO TIGERS 🐅 🐅🐅🐅🐅WE GONNA RUN THE CONFERENCE AND AT THE VERY LEAST GO TO THE ELITE 8 SUCK IT CALIPARI

[@rallo2484]

Lol...watch gmoms🤶 in back when the uproar happens....its so loud she's kinda spooked...its subtle, but its there....and its ginuine...the atmosphere crazy lit...and thats just an auditorium...😵imagine fed ex forum...

[@bmcminn8838]

Congrats!

[@jellyb3ankilla]

Where my dead by daylight players at thooooooooogh :)

[@leojones22]

James Wiseman and Jaren Jackson together. whooee

[@getgot27]

whos that lil snack in the back right

[@deandrejackson5844]

I think his sister

[@iamcar234]

Imagine if he said Kentucky lol

[@talentedmrflowers]

He's fluid but still learning to play the game outside of his athleticism. Once he develops skill he'll be deadly.

[@Dominion-1]

James, a Penny for your thoughts.

[@joshuapetion5766]

👎🏽👎🏽 should’ve went to Kentucky⚪️🔵

[@danielEclipse135]

anyone know the name or instagram of the girl in the back?

[@Jonathan-ej9pw]

Lol he states about the Unicorn twice and then the guy laughs and says I can hear you. Then doesn’t answer.

[@Cameron.__.]

I feel bad for him now he’s not eligible for college ball

[@JeffreyB1983]

State of Kentucky has banned the Penny. Lowest legal denomination is now the nickel.

[@carlosstanford1379]

#MadeInMemphis let's go tigers🤘🏾😎👊🏾

[@trendytech6550]

Mark my words he won't be a top 5 NBA pick

[@lilcourtny08]

Fuck your words. What team do you scout for?

[@nathenromano4339]

9’6” reach how the hell dose one compete with that shit

[@jalenbowman8644]

Shorty behind him kinda yeaaaaaaaaa

[@JelSlime]

Ticket grab some popcorn

[@cruzada07]

This kid loves unicorn

[@qcsnow9041]

Dajuan Wagner remember him

[@kourtneyelam9793]

I knew he was going to penny it was only right !!!

[@kourtneyelam9793]

Stay

[@jessemiller5831]

Exploitation at it's best, nice going espn. There is no age that's off limits for you. Next your going to be exploiting the little leaguers. Oh wait you already are...

[@jaredzambito1692]

he should have went to OHIO STATE

[@n1k3inthehouse]

As long he didn’t go to duke I’m alright what he picked lmao

[@cb13ize]

The penny effect!

[@Ryan-16-g6e]

Guess it didn’t really matter though after all 🤷‍♂️

[@edonbytyqi3157]

That nigga voice deeper than the ocean

[@rickeyfuquayjr.9675]

He pulled a Lee Corso. Except, he used the unicorn

[@erikg929]

lmao he couldn’t hear shi

[@makehumanitygreatagain8128]

The kid gives me Whiteside vibes a little.

[@dashantyler1475]

Yeah...i will take Wendell Moore like we got. #dukenation

[@danielEclipse135]

It's been three months. Can anyone give the name/IG of the girl on back right??? :O

[@jpchambers5882]

Only reason Memphis hired penny