Memphis East basketball transfers Wiseman, Boyce ruled eligible

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A Shelby County Chancellor ruled Wednesday that Memphis East (Tenn.) transfers James Wiseman, the nation's second-rated overall junior, and senior UAB commit Ryan Boyce, are eligible for the remainder of this season.

The ruling allows the transfers to continue playing until a future hearing. The chancellor ruled the "coach link" rule between coach Penny Hardaway and the two players was "not clear in its application" by the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association. Wiseman and Boyce played AAU basketball for Team Penny last summer, though Hardaway doesn't coach the team.

BREAKING: Shelby County Chancellor rules two East High School basketball players will remain eligible to play until another future hearing. Chancellor said the "coach link" rule which TSSAA ruled the players ineligible initially is not clear in its application.

— Brad Broders (@Local24Brad) December 13, 2017

Wiseman was averaging a team-high 18 points, nine rebounds and three blocks per game before the decision today. The three-star Boyce was averaging 13 points per game. Both of these starters are major contributors for an 8-0 Mustangs bunch that has been ranked No. 1 since the start of preseason.

Memphis East's schedule doesn't get any easier. The 8-0 Mustangs are slated to compete in the heralded City of Palms Classic next week, a tournament which includes three other ranked teams inside our Top 10 and six in the Top 25.  The Mustangs also face former No. 13 Webster Groves (Mo.) on Thursday and seventh-ranked Simeon (Chicago) in early January.