MEMPHIS - After just three games on the court, James Wiseman's college basketball career is over.
The 7-foot-1, 240-pound center and likely lottery pick in next summer's NBA draft said he has withdrawn from the University of Memphis to begin focusing on his professional future rather than complete a 12-game suspension issued by the NCAA.
The freshman who was the nation's top prospect in the 2019 signing class announced his decision Thursday in an Instagram post, saying he was leaving school to start "preparing for the next chapter of my life."
"Ever since I was a little kid, it's been a dream of mine to play in the NBA," wrote Wiseman, who is considered the potential No. 1 pick.
The decision ends Wiseman's tumultuous time with the Tigers and his battles with the NCAA. Wiseman was the biggest prize in coach Penny Hardaway's recruiting class that was ranked as the nation's best, but he had been serving an NCAA suspension for most of the season.
"We wish nothing but the best for James in his future endeavors as he follows his dreams," Hardaway said. "He will truly be missed."
School officials said in a released statement that Wiseman's announcement was disappointing, but they also wrote that "the UofM supports James and his family in his decision to leave to prepare for the 2020 NBA draft and will continue to follow James in what will certainly prove to be a successful career."
The NCAA suspended Wiseman 12 games because his family received $11,500 to assist in a move from Nashville to Memphis in summer 2017. Although Hardaway wasn't the Tigers' coach at the time, the NCAA ruled the payment wasn't allowed, counting him as a booster for giving $1 million in 2008 to his alma mater for the university's sports hall of fame.
The NCAA had ruled Wiseman needed to donate $11,500 to a charity of his choice to regain his eligibility, though that now seems like a moot point.
After the NCAA notified Memphis that Wiseman was "likely ineligible" just before the start of the season, Wiseman went to court and sued the NCAA and the University of Memphis. He played two games under a temporary restraining order obtained Nov. 8 in dramatic fashion less than an hour before tipoff of the Tigers' second game of the season.
However, in another turn of events, Wiseman ordered his attorneys to drop the lawsuit Nov. 14, which led to Memphis ruling him ineligible immediately. The NCAA announced the suspension Nov. 20 and denied an appeal on Nov. 27.
Wiseman averaged 19.7 points and 10.7 rebounds in the three games he played. He was due to sit out five more games before being able to return to the Tigers' lineup Jan. 12 at South Florida.
He thanked coaches, staff and his teammates for pushing him in practice.
"This was not how I expected my freshman season to be, but I'm thankful for everyone who has supported my family and me throughout this process ..," Wiseman wrote.
"I feel blessed for the opportunity to be a Tiger and for having the honor to play with these special group of guys. I can't wait to see what all they accomplish this season. The friends and fans of Tiger Nation will always hold a place in my heart."
Memphis (9-1) is ranked No. 11 in the country and has won seven straight games, including a 51-47 win last Saturday at Tennessee, which was ranked 19th at the time. That ended a streak of 31 consecutive home victories for the Volunteers.