James Wiseman of East named Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year

Khari Thompson
Memphis Commercial Appeal

East center James Wiseman has been named the Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year.

The 7-foot Memphis signee beat out Arizona signee Nico Mannion of Phoenix and junior point guard RJ Hampton of Little Elm, Texas, for the award. 

Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. surprised Wiseman with the trophy Tuesday afternoon at East High School. 

"I saw Jaren, one of my favorite players," Wiseman said in a Gatorade-produced video that was released with the announcement. "And then he had the award in his hand. It was surreal."

"Congratulations, my boy," Jackson said in the video as he shook Wiseman's hand. "Gatorade Player of the Year, my boy."

Wiseman averaged 25.8 points, 14.8 rebounds and 5.5 blocks during the regular season.

He won a state title with East last year and led the Mustangs back to this year's Class AAA state championship game, where they fell to Bearden 83-68. 

The 7-footer is scheduled to play in the McDonald's All-American game on March 27 in Atlanta and the Jordan Brand Classic on April 20 in Las Vegas. 

"A 7-footer with a 7-foot-6 wingspan and a standing reach nearly 2 feet higher than that, James Wiseman protects the rim, rebounds and finishes plays in the paint," ESPN's Paul Biancardi said in a statement. "(He) has blossomed as an offensive player, improving his skill set and drive game while stretching his range to the 3-point line. As a lefty post, his signature move is a jump hook over the right shoulder, a weapon that, along with everything else, enables him to dominate games. He's also an excellent student and a model citizen in his community."