Kentucky, Memphis going big for James Wiseman in first EYBL session

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.

Kentucky going full-staff for top target James Wiseman. Kansas’ Bill Self for Chandler Lawson’19 to tip off EYBL @TheAthleticCBB pic.twitter.com/OrbbXBubL4

— Andrew Slater (@Andrew__Slater) April 20, 2018

HCs for Memphis, Duke, Kentucky, Auburn, Vanderbilt, S. Carolina, UConn, UGA, GT, Monmouth, Dayton + assistants of Wake, Fordham, UNC, Louisville for @PSACardinals vs @bluffcitylegend for an 8 AM game

Cole Anthony & James Wiseman are the headliners @TheAthleticCBB pic.twitter.com/pCe0aos7fT

— Andrew Slater (@Andrew__Slater) April 21, 2018

“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.

Big ticket rings in Session 1. pic.twitter.com/cK4WtgAO6F

— FloHoops (@FloHoops) April 20, 2018

Photo: Pat Lawless

Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter

And Like ZAGS on Facebook