So we all know how ass-backwards the NCAA is, right? I mean seriously, their decisions tend to make my blood boil. Now, you may be wondering why I’m upset. Well, that’s because of the latest news over James Wiseman’s suspension.
If you haven’t heard, the NCAA has suspended James Wiseman, a freshman basketball player for the University of Memphis, for 12 total games of the 2019-2020 season.
And shockingly, it doesn’t stop there. On top of Wiseman’s 12 game suspension, he is also required to donate a total of $11,500 to a charity of his choice.
Go ahead and read that last sentence over again.
Yep, that’s right, the NCAA expects an 18-year-old kid to come up with nearly 12 thousand dollars in order to be eligible to play once his 12-game suspension is up. I don’t know about you reading this, but speaking for myself, a former college athlete, there is no way on earth I could have come up with that much money so quickly.
I mean seriously where do they expect him to get it from? The entire reason for his suspension is due to allegations that his family received “improper benefits” (money) in order for him to attend the University of Memphis, so why in God’s name would you fine the kid when he needed financial help in the first place!?
“It’s just so dumb.”
–@wingoz on how the NCAA handled James Wiseman’s suspension that forced him to leave Memphis and enter the NBA Draft. pic.twitter.com/iVmW2CQcht
— Golic and Wingo (@GolicAndWingo) December 20, 2019
In my opinion, it’s absurd, and yet another display of how the NCAA doesn’t have a clue.
Following the ineligible ruling, James Wiseman’s lawyers filed a case against the NCAA and Memphis, which was later dropped by Wiseman himself. I hope to hear some sort of update on his case, the $11,500 fine, and ultimately, the eligibility of James Wiseman.
