James Wiseman withdraws lawsuit; Memphis works on eligibility

James Wiseman and his advisers decided a legal battle with the NCAA is not the best way to keep the heralded freshman on the basketball court.

The 7-foot-1 center withdrew his lawsuit, and the dramatic turn of events in the much-debated saga means Wiseman will sit on Memphis’ bench until the NCAA rules otherwise.

Wiseman successfully won the opening round against the NCAA and the university, obtaining a restraining order to continue playing after being ruled likely ineligible for receiving improper benefits from Penny Hardaway. But Thursday morning, Wiseman’s attorneys announced he withdrew his lawsuit, saying the legal action was not helping resolve the issue.

“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 posted on Twitter.

Wiseman stepped into the national spotlight — with the support of the University of Memphis — by standing up against the NCAA in the courts. He had the city of Memphis, Tigers fans and the university president and athletic director on his side.

Now seven days and two games after obtaining the restraining order, Wiseman’s fate is in the hands of the NCAA — like all those before him.

“Keep The Faith, Trust God, Continue on my Path. My Story isn’t Finished,” Wiseman wrote on Twitter on Thursday.

The university declared Wiseman ineligible once he withdrew his lawsuit, though Memphis officials said they hope to get him back on the court soon as possible.

A statement released Thursday by Memphis said, “The university supports the decision, as it believes it is in James’ and the men’s basketball team’s best interests to resolve his eligibility issue expeditiously through the NCAA process.”

Memphis officials said they are immediately applying for Wiseman to be reinstated. Until then, Wiseman will be held out of games but can practice with the No. 13 Tigers (2-1).

“The NCAA is fully aware of the unique nature and challenges in this particular case, and the university is confident that the NCAA will render a fair and equitable decision consistent with its mission,” officials said in the statement.

The NCAA first ruled Wiseman eligible in late May, according to his now-dropped lawsuit. Then the NCAA sent Memphis a letter saying Wiseman likely was ineligible for receiving what the governing body deemed impermissible benefits from Hardaway, before the former NBA star became Memphis’ coach.

Wiseman and the university had essentially thumbed their nose at the NCAA. The freshman obtained a temporary restraining order an hour before Memphis played its second game Nov. 8. After the legal action, the Tigers proudly put Wiseman at center stage in the starting lineup of a rout of Illinois-Chicago. The Tigers then played him in a loss Tuesday night at No. 14 Oregon.

The freshman has played in Memphis’ first three games, and the 7-foot-1 center is the team’s leading scorer, averaging 19.7 points and 10.7 rebounds. If he decides to leave Memphis after his freshman season, Wiseman could be the No. 1 pick in next year’s NBA Draft.

NCAA spokeswoman Stacey Osburn declined to comment Thursday on Wiseman’s status when contacted by the Associated Press about Wiseman’s case. The NCAA made it clear with Wiseman on the court soon after the temporary restraining order was granted that the association had told Memphis the freshman was “likely ineligible.”

“The university chose to play him and ultimately is responsible for ensuring its student-athletes are eligible to play,” the NCAA wrote on Twitter.

Attorney Robert G. Johnson in Ohio, who has worked on eligibility cases, had hoped Wiseman would continue his lawsuit.

“It can always be a settlement you know,” Johnson said Monday night. “Like, we’ll let him sit out three games or whatever, and then it’ll be over with.”