Potential No. 1 NBA Draft pick James Wiseman was ruled ineligible by the NCAA on Friday.
The decision stems from Memphis coach Penny Hardaway, who helped Wiseman's family move to Memphis in 2017. But Wiseman was made available and started for the Tigers shortly after the ruling due to a restraining order issued by a Tennessee judge.
Social media still brought plenty of heat toward the NCAA regarding its discipline of Wiseman, which came to light less than 12 hours after Ohio State announced it suspended defensive end Chase Young for one game pending an NCAA investigation into improper benefits.
NBA MOCK DRAFT 2020: James Wiseman a top-five pick in SN's latest
It’s official. The @NCAA is a damn travesty. This kid Wiseman is ineligible — after already starting the season — because COACH Penny Hardaway is a booster? This is straight B.S. no wonder @KingJames and so many others are so against the NCAA. Hey @NBA , I’ve got an idea:
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) November 8, 2019
In less than 12 hours the NCAA has sidelined arguably the best college football and men's basketball players for nothing related to academics on-court/field performance. Solid system here.
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) November 8, 2019
NCAA: “You ineligible for the rest of the season!”
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) November 8, 2019
James Wiseman’s lawyer: pic.twitter.com/QcKztcavH7
what leaves me confused: if they were gonna pop penny and wiseman for this, i don’t see why the ncaa even let him set foot on campus. you expect me to believe they couldn’t get this before?
— bomani (@bomani_jones) November 8, 2019
ESPN analyst and former Purdue standout Robbie Hummel is lighting in to the NCAA while calling this Memphis game.
— Evan Barnes (@evan_b) November 9, 2019
“It’s a joke and something needs to change quickly"
The potential #1 pick in the NFL draft was suspended for accepting a loan - that he paid back in full - from a family friend.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) November 8, 2019
The potential #1 pick in the NBA draft was ruled ineligible because his coach helped his family move while in HS.
Another banner day for the NCAA.
To sum up...
— Geoff Grammer (@GeoffGrammer) November 8, 2019
• Today: NCAA suspends Chase Young, the likely first overall pick in the NFL Draft
• Today: NCAA suspends James Wiseman, the likely first overall pick in the NBA Draft (but then school announces he's playing tonight, anyway)
Today will be remembered as the day that two potential No. 1 picks in different sports, Chase Young and James Wiseman, were found ineligible by the NCAA. And another searing reminder why NCAA rules needs to evolve, quickly.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 8, 2019
Wiseman's lawyer, Leslie Ballin, also became the center of attention.
Lost in all of this Memphis drama is that James Wiseman's lawyer is named *Leslie Ballin*.
— Rob Dauster (@RobDauster) November 8, 2019
This is that lawyer.
I cannot get enough of this story. pic.twitter.com/zwosfCbJxZ
James Wiseman’s college basketball career rests in this guy’s hands: pic.twitter.com/YCjGKSC1J6
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) November 8, 2019
The real story here is that Leslie Ballin is an absolutely incredible name https://t.co/4WgAH6WhZ9
— Jimmy Blanco (@ColeyMick) November 8, 2019
Leslie Ballin vs NCAA - can it get any more #Memphis than this?
— Kendall Downing (@kendall_downing) November 8, 2019