History of James Wiseman in Timeline

James Wiseman is a professional basketball player who most recently played for the Indiana Pacers in the NBA. He is a 6'11" center who played college basketball for the Memphis Tigers before entering the NBA. He was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in 2020.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

March 31, 2001: James Wiseman's Birth

On March 31, 2001, James Monteinez Wiseman was born. He is an American professional basketball player.

Others born on this day/year

June 2016: ESPN Ranking

In June 2016, ESPN ranked James Wiseman among its top 25 players in the 2020 recruiting class, recognizing his potential early in his high school career.

May 2017: Joined Team Penny

In May 2017, James Wiseman joined Team Penny, which was founded by Penny Hardaway, and played on the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) circuit.

November 16, 2017: Ruled Ineligible by TSSAA

On November 16, 2017, the TSSAA ruled James Wiseman ineligible for his junior season due to an "athletic coaching link" with Penny Hardaway.

2017: FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship

In 2017, James Wiseman averaged 11.4 points and five rebounds per game for the United States at the FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship in Formosa, Argentina, helping his team win the gold medal over Canada.

2017: Hardaway Facilitates Wiseman's Move

In 2017, Penny Hardaway facilitated James Wiseman's move to Memphis, Tennessee, which later led to Wiseman's suspension by the NCAA early in his freshman season at Memphis.

2017: Moving Expenses

In 2017, Penny Hardaway paid for $11,500 in moving expenses to help James Wiseman and his family move to Memphis. This action led to the NCAA ruling him ineligible to play for Memphis.

2017: Original Ruling of Ineligibility

In October 2019, after Wiseman had moved on to the University of Memphis, the TSSAA's original ruling of ineligibility for the 2017–18 season was upheld by a Memphis judge.

March 17, 2018: Led Memphis East to TSSAA Championship

On March 17, 2018, James Wiseman led Memphis East to a TSSAA Class AAA championship, scoring 19 points, marking a significant achievement in his high school career.

November 20, 2018: Committed to Memphis

On November 20, 2018, James Wiseman committed to Memphis to play for Penny Hardaway, despite considering Kentucky.

2018: Injured and Unable to Join Team

In 2018, James Wiseman was unable to join the United States for the FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup due to an injury.

March 1, 2019: Triple-Double and Region 8AAA Championship

On March 1, 2019, James Wiseman recorded a triple-double with 27 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 blocks, helping his team win the Region 8AAA championship.

August 2019: Shoulder Injury

In August 2019, James Wiseman sustained a minor shoulder injury that prevented him from joining Memphis for preseason exhibition games in Nassau, Bahamas.

October 2019: TSSAA Ruling Upheld

In October 2019, a Memphis judge upheld the TSSAA's original ruling of ineligibility for James Wiseman's 2017–18 season, affirming that the coaching link rule was valid.

December 19, 2019: Left Memphis to Prepare for NBA Draft

On December 19, 2019, James Wiseman announced that he would leave Memphis, hire an agent, and prepare for the 2020 NBA draft, concluding his college career.

2019: Rated Number One Overall Recruit by ESPN

During the 2017-2018 season, James Wiseman rose to become the number one overall recruit by ESPN in the 2019 class.

2019: Considered Top Recruit

In 2019, James Wiseman was considered the top recruit by 247Sports and ESPN. On November 20, 2018, he committed to Memphis. On November 29, Wiseman signed a National Letter of Intent to play college basketball for Memphis.

2019: Ranked Number One Recruit

In 2019, as a senior, James Wiseman was ranked as a consensus five-star recruit, earning the number one position in the 2019 class by most recruiting services. He also received multiple national player of the year awards and participated in the McDonald's All-American Game.

December 22, 2020: NBA Debut

On December 22, 2020, James Wiseman made his NBA debut with the Golden State Warriors, scoring 19 points and grabbing six rebounds in a loss to the Brooklyn Nets.

2020: Recruiting Class of 2020

Entering his freshman season for The Ensworth School in Nashville, Tennessee, Wiseman stood 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) and weighed 200 pounds (91 kg). By 2020, ESPN ranked Wiseman among its top 25 players in the recruiting class.

2020: Potential Number One Pick

In 2020, James Wiseman was considered a potential number one pick in the NBA draft, making him one of the highest-rated prospects in his class.

2020: Drafted by the Golden State Warriors

In 2020, James Wiseman was drafted with the second overall pick by the Golden State Warriors, marking a significant milestone in his career.

2020: Projected First Overall Pick

In 2020, prior to his freshman season, James Wiseman was projected to be the first overall pick in the NBA draft.

January 27, 2021: Season-High 25 Points

On January 27, 2021, James Wiseman scored a season-high 25 points, along with six rebounds, in a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

March 9, 2022: Assigned to Santa Cruz Warriors

On March 9, 2022, James Wiseman was assigned to the Santa Cruz Warriors, the Golden State Warriors' NBA G League affiliate team, to play games before returning to the NBA.

July 10, 2022: Return from Injury in Summer League

On July 10, 2022, James Wiseman returned from injury in the 2022 NBA Summer League, scoring 11 points, grabbing two rebounds, and recording two blocks in a win over the San Antonio Spurs.

December 30, 2022: Ankle Sprain

On December 30, 2022, James Wiseman sprained his ankle during a 3-on-3 scrimmage, causing him to miss subsequent games for Golden State.

2022: NBA Championship with the Golden State Warriors

In 2022, James Wiseman won an NBA championship with the Golden State Warriors, despite being injured and not participating in any games during the season.

February 9, 2023: Traded to the Detroit Pistons

On February 9, 2023, James Wiseman was traded to the Detroit Pistons in a four-team trade, marking a significant change in his NBA career.

2023: Trade to the Detroit Pistons

In 2023, James Wiseman was traded to the Detroit Pistons, marking a change in his professional basketball career.

July 5, 2024: Signed with the Indiana Pacers

On July 5, 2024, James Wiseman signed a 2-year contract with the Indiana Pacers, marking a new chapter in his professional basketball career.

2024: Signed with the Indiana Pacers

In 2024, James Wiseman signed with the Indiana Pacers, joining a new team in his NBA career.

February 6, 2025: Traded to Toronto Raptors and Waived

On February 6, 2025, James Wiseman was traded to the Toronto Raptors alongside cash considerations, but was waived shortly after.

2026: Second-round Pick

On February 6, 2025, Wiseman was traded to the Toronto Raptors alongside cash considerations in exchange for a 2026 top 55 protected second-round pick, but was waived shortly after.