James WisemanCenter, Memphis
Age: 19Height: 7-1Weight: 235
**DISCLAIMER: The following is an aggregate of player analysis from various media outlets and does not reflect the views of the Minnesota Timberwolves.**
NBA.com(click to read full analysis):
Emerging as one the top prospects in the high school class of 2019 early in his prep career, the Tennessee native averaged 11.4 point and 5.0 rebounds per game at the 2017 FIBA U16 Americas Championship alongside the likes of RJ Hampton and Vernon Carey. He finished his senior year at East High School (TN) as one of the most decorated recruits this decade having earned a spot in the McDonald’s All-American, Jordan Brand Classic, and Nike Hoop Summit while capturing both Gatorade National Player of the Year and Morgan Wooten National Player of the Year honors.
The centerpiece of the top-ranked 7-player recruiting class signed by Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway, Wiseman was named an AP preseason All-American team and averaged 19.7 points and 10.7 rebounds before his season came to a premature end.
ESPN/Draft Express (click to read full analysis):
- Incredible frame standing over 7-feet in shoes and 250 pounds with a 7-5 wingspan and gigantic standing reach. Exceptional athlete for his size in terms of his ability to get up and down the floor, cover ground and elevate around the rim quickly with explosiveness and power.
- Has a good skill set. Agile in the post and as a pick-and-roll finisher with impressive body control. Capable of handling and creating for himself. Shows some creativity with his footwork. Has a soft touch around the rim and even extending out to 3.
- Impact player as a rim protector when locked in and operating at maximum intensity thanks to his reach, timing and quickness. Also capable of switching on the perimeter with excellent mobility.
Projected role: Franchise center
--Jonathan Givony
The Ringer (click to read full analysis):
-- Kevin O’Connor
NBADraft.net (click to read full analysis):
Wiseman has been a highly discussed prospect dating back to 2017 when he emerged on the high school scene … He is a prospect with some clearly defined strengths that hold value in the current NBA (rim running, defense, rebounding) and some truly special physical attributes … If he’s in a situation where a team allows him to play off of his teammates spacing on offense, and allows him to patrol the paint and block shots then he will be set up for success … -- Jorrye Nixon