Kentucky, Memphis going big for James Wiseman in first EYBL session | Zagsblog
Recent Posts
About ZagsBlog
Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
Follow Zags on Twitter
Couldn't connect with Twitter
Contact Zags
Connect with Zags:
Friday / March 29.
  • Kentucky, Memphis going big for James Wiseman in first EYBL session

    Share Zagsblog Share Zagsblog
    By ADAM ZAGORIA

    As expected, Kentucky and Memphis are both going big for James Wiseman, the No. 1 player in the Class of 2019, at the first Nike EYBL stop in Dallas this weekend.

    Kentucky went four deep with head coach John Calipari and three assistants for Wiseman’s first game Friday evening, while Memphis’ Penny Hardaway and an assistant were also present. Both head coaches were back watching Wiseman on Saturday morning, per Andrew Slater.

    “I mean me and coach Penny have a strong connection such as me and Coach Cal have a strong connection so really it’s just like in between,” Wiseman told 247Sports. “But I got even more schools coming after me.”

    Both schools recently had home visits with the 7-foot Wiseman.

    “Basically, if I come to his program he will help me reach my full potential and help me become the player that I want to become,” Wiseman said is Calipari’s pitch to him.

    Wiseman is familiar with Hardaway playing for him at Memphis East and Team Penny AAU.

    “Like defense first, he’s a defensive-first coach so if you go to his program and he coaches you or something like that then you will be better on the defensive end especially as a rim protector and stuff like that,” Wiseman said of playing for Hardaway.

    “It’s been kind of weird but we’re still family,” Wiseman added of seeing Hardaway coaching at the college level.

    Photo: Pat Lawless

    Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter

    And Like ZAGS on Facebook

    Written by

    [email protected]

    Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle. A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.

  • } });
    X