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Potential No. 1 pick James Wiseman has left Memphis to prepare for the 2020 NBA Draft.

The 7-foot-1 freshman center announced his decision Thursday on Instagram.

“Today I formally withdrew from the University of Memphis and I will be preparing for the next chapter of my life,” he wrote. “Ever since I was a little kid, it’s been a dream of mine to play in the NBA.”

Wiseman, the No. 1 overall recruit in the Class of 2019, averaged 19.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and 3.0 blocks in three games with the Tigers.

Since mid-November, he has been serving a 12-game NCAA suspension after an investigation revealed he and his family received impermissible benefits.

The NCAA determined that Memphis coach Penny Hardaway — before he was hired by the university — provided $11,500 to help Wiseman and his family move from Nashville, Tenn., to Memphis in 2017.

“This was not how I expected my freshman season to be, but I’m thankful for everyone who has supported my family and me throughout this process,” Wiseman wrote. “I want to thank the coaches and staff for all their support and my teammates for pushing me everyday at practice. I feel blessed for the opportunity to be a Tiger and for having the honor to play with these special group of guys. I can’t wait to see what all they accomplish this season. The friends and fans of Tiger Nation will always hold a place in my heart.”

Wiseman would have been eligible to return to the Memphis lineup on Jan. 12.

–Field Level Media (@FieldLevelMedia)