James Wiseman Net Worth

What Is James Wiseman's Net Worth and Salary?

James Wiseman is an American professional basketball player who has a net worth of $14 million.

James Wiseman was selected by the Golden State Warriors with the second overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, entering the league as one of the most highly regarded young centers in the country. The 6-foot-11 big man had been the nation's top-ranked high school recruit and briefly played for the University of Memphis before an NCAA eligibility controversy ended his college career after just three games. His selection by Golden State placed him alongside superstars Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, but injuries and inconsistent development prevented him from establishing himself as the franchise cornerstone the Warriors had envisioned.

Wiseman was a member of Golden State's 2022 NBA championship team, although he missed the entire season with a knee injury. He was traded to the Detroit Pistons in 2023 and subsequently played for the Indiana Pacers, where he suffered a torn Achilles tendon in his first regular-season appearance. In September 2026, he signed a nonguaranteed training-camp contract with the New York Knicks, giving him another opportunity to extend his NBA career.

Despite his limited playing time, Wiseman has earned nearly $43 million in NBA salary, primarily through the four-year, $39.6 million rookie contract he signed with Golden State.

Early Life

James Monteinez Wiseman was born on March 31, 2001, in Nashville, Tennessee. He was raised by his mother, Donzaleigh Artis, who worked as a school bus driver, and grew up alongside his older sister, Jaquarius Greer. His extraordinary height and athletic ability attracted attention from basketball coaches while he was still a young teenager.

Wiseman attended The Ensworth School in Nashville, where he developed into a nationally recognized basketball prospect. After his sophomore year, his family relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, and he transferred to Memphis East High School.

At Memphis East, Wiseman played under former NBA All-Star Penny Hardaway, who became an important mentor. He helped the school win a Tennessee state championship in 2018 and emerged as the consensus top prospect in the 2019 recruiting class.

As a senior, Wiseman averaged 25.8 points, 14.8 rebounds, and 5.5 blocked shots per game. His accomplishments earned him the Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year award, the Morgan Wootten National Player of the Year award, and a selection to the McDonald's All-American Game.

College Career and NCAA Suspension

Wiseman committed to the University of Memphis in November 2018, choosing the Tigers over several major programs, including Kentucky. The decision reunited him with Penny Hardaway, who had become Memphis' head basketball coach.

His college career began spectacularly. In his debut against South Carolina State in November 2019, he scored 28 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and blocked three shots. Through his first three games, Wiseman averaged 19.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, and three blocks while shooting nearly 77% from the field.

However, his freshman season was derailed by an NCAA eligibility investigation. The organization determined that Hardaway had provided Wiseman's family with $11,500 in moving expenses when they relocated from Nashville to Memphis in 2017. Because Hardaway had previously donated money to the university, the NCAA classified him as a Memphis booster, making the financial assistance an impermissible recruiting benefit.

Wiseman received a 12-game suspension and was ordered to donate $11,500 to a charity. Rather than return after serving the suspension, he announced in December 2019 that he was withdrawing from Memphis to concentrate on preparing for the NBA Draft.

He finished his college career having played just three games.

Golden State Warriors and NBA Championship

The Golden State Warriors selected Wiseman with the second overall pick in the November 2020 NBA Draft, behind Anthony Edwards and immediately ahead of LaMelo Ball. Other players selected later in that draft included Tyrese Haliburton, whose subsequent success made Golden State's decision a frequent subject of debate.

The Warriors hoped Wiseman would provide size, athleticism, rebounding, and interior scoring alongside their established core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. He signed a four-year rookie-scale contract worth $39.6 million.

Wiseman showed considerable promise during his rookie season, averaging 11.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks in 39 games. However, he tore the meniscus in his right knee during an April 2021 game against the Houston Rockets and underwent surgery, ending his season.

His recovery proved much more complicated than initially anticipated. Persistent knee problems and setbacks prevented him from playing a single game during the 2021-22 season. Golden State nevertheless went on to win the NBA championship, defeating the Boston Celtics in six games.

Although Wiseman did not appear in any games during the championship season, he received a championship ring as a member of the Warriors organization.

He returned for the 2022-23 season but struggled to secure consistent playing time. After appearing in 21 games and averaging 6.9 points and 3.5 rebounds, he was assigned to Golden State's G League affiliate in Santa Cruz.

Detroit Pistons

In February 2023, the Warriors traded Wiseman to the Detroit Pistons as part of a four-team transaction involving the Atlanta Hawks and Portland Trail Blazers. Golden State reacquired defensive specialist Gary Payton II in the deal, ending Wiseman's tenure less than three years after selecting him second overall.

The move gave Wiseman an opportunity to play a more substantial role on a rebuilding team. In 24 games with Detroit during the remainder of the 2022-23 season, he averaged 12.7 points and 8.1 rebounds, displaying some of the offensive potential that had made him an elite draft prospect.

During the 2023-24 season, Wiseman appeared in 63 games, averaging 7.1 points and 5.3 rebounds while shooting 61.3% from the field. He continued to show promise as a finisher near the basket but struggled with defensive positioning, consistency, and the demands of playing within an NBA system.

After the season, Detroit allowed him to enter free agency, bringing his time with the Pistons to an end.

Indiana Pacers, Achilles Injury, and New York Knicks

Wiseman signed with the Indiana Pacers in July 2024 on a two-year minimum-salary contract. The agreement gave him a chance to rebuild his career as a reserve center behind Indiana's established frontcourt players.

However, his debut with the Pacers ended in another major injury. During the team's season opener against his former club, the Detroit Pistons, on October 23, 2024, Wiseman suffered a noncontact tear of his left Achilles tendon. He played fewer than five minutes before leaving the game and missed the remainder of the season.

In February 2025, Indiana traded him to the Toronto Raptors in a transaction involving cash considerations and a protected second-round draft pick. Toronto waived him the same day, and Wiseman never appeared in a game for the Raptors.

After rehabilitating his Achilles injury, Wiseman returned to Indiana in July 2025 on another contract. He appeared briefly during the 2025-26 season but was waived in October. He subsequently signed a 10-day contract in December, appearing in three additional games before being released again. Across his four appearances that season, he averaged 3.3 points and 2.0 rebounds.

In September 2026, Wiseman signed an Exhibit 9 training-camp contract with the New York Knicks. The one-year agreement carried a potential salary of $3.07 million but was not guaranteed, meaning he would need to earn a roster spot to collect the full amount.

Contracts, Salary, and Career Earnings

Despite a career interrupted by injuries and limited playing time, Wiseman accumulated substantial earnings because of his high selection in the 2020 NBA Draft.

His original four-year, $39.6 million contract was fully guaranteed, meaning his salary was protected even when injuries prevented him from playing. His annual compensation increased significantly throughout the agreement:

• 2020-21: $8,730,240
• 2021-22: $9,166,800
• 2022-23: $9,603,360
• 2023-24: $12,119,440

In his final season under that contract, Wiseman earned more than $12.1 million while playing for Detroit. When the agreement expired, his earning power declined sharply, and subsequent contracts were based on the NBA's veteran minimum salary structure.

His 2024-25 contract with Indiana paid $2.24 million. Additional guaranteed compensation and short-term contracts during the following season increased his total NBA salary earnings to just under $43 million.

Wiseman also signed an endorsement agreement with Chinese sportswear manufacturer Anta in February 2021. The partnership was announced shortly after he entered the NBA and was intended to feature him in the company's Project Z-Up basketball shoe line. Financial terms were not publicly disclosed.

Personal Life and Interests

Outside basketball, Wiseman has demonstrated an interest in languages, music, and business. He studied Mandarin Chinese in high school and has spoken publicly about his ability to communicate in the language. His interest in Chinese culture also complemented his early endorsement relationship with Anta.

Wiseman has expressed an interest in entrepreneurship, including eventually owning restaurants. He has also participated in charitable activities involving youth basketball, education, and community outreach.

Throughout his professional career, he has maintained a close relationship with his mother and credited his family with providing stability during the challenges associated with injuries, his college eligibility dispute, and the pressures of entering the NBA as a highly anticipated draft pick.

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