12. JAMES WISEMAN, Big, Memphis
The consensus No. 1 prospect in high school, James Wiseman‘s freshman campaign was a strange one. He initially got suspended for accepting “financial assistance” from his coach, and he was then asked to pay money to charity as repentance, despite not making any money under the NCAA’s strict rules. He eventually dropped out with three games on his college resume.
As a result, the tape on Wiseman is limited. In the end, the ambiguity probably hurts his stock more than it helps. Still, Wiseman is a towering presence at 7-foot-1, boasting a 7-foot-6 wingspan and a muscular frame. He should have no trouble developing into a capable rim protector, which is still the most valuable defensive role in the NBA.
Wiseman will need to prove he can defend in space, but he’s a mobile athlete. Most concerns around Wiseman’s defense are rooted in feel, not ability. He’s also an efficient interior scorer who has shown signs of expanding his repertoire on offense. He will go higher than this on draft night.