As the University of Kentucky basketball team heads towards the Southeastern Conference (SEC) tourney, one player that continues to stand out is point guard Sahvir Wheeler. The Houston, Texas native transferred to Kentucky after spending time at the University of Georgia. This season, although Wheeler has been injured as of late, when he has been available he has established himself as a force to be reckoned with, showing his ability to create plays and put points on the board.
Wheeler has had some impressive performances this season, including a 16-point game against Michigan State, where he also played the full 40 minutes. In a game against Alabama, Wheeler made 7 of his 16 field goal attempts, scoring 16 points overall. He has also been deadly from beyond the arc, hitting 3 of 6 three-point attempts in a game against LSU. Wheeler is not only a scoring threat, but he has also recorded 11 assists in a game against Duquesne and 2 steals in a game against Florida.
Before joining the Wildcats, Wheeler was a standout player at Houston’s Houston Christian High School. As a senior, he averaged 27.1 points, 7.4 assists, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.9 steals per game. Wheeler was rated as a 4-star prospect by recruiting services, such as Rivals and 247Sports, and was ranked as the No. 11 point guard in the country.
Wheeler’s impressive high school performance earned him offers from several universities, including LSU, Texas, and Georgia. He ultimately chose Georgia, where he started as a freshman and continued to excel in his sophomore year. Wheeler led the SEC in assists per game in the 2020-21 season, averaging 7.4 per game. However, despite his impressive play, the Bulldogs struggled to win games, finishing with a 14-12 record.
After two seasons at Georgia, Wheeler transferred to Kentucky to continue his college basketball career. In his first season with the Wildcats, he started in 29 games and was the team’s leading assist maker. Wheeler has continued to be an important piece for the Wildcats in his second season, despite coming off the bench for most games.
Wheeler’s impressive statistics and performances have made him an important piece of the Wildcats’ puzzle. His ability to create plays, score points, and find his teammates for scoring opportunities has made him one of the most exciting players to watch in the SEC. As the Wildcats continue their season, Wheeler will undoubtedly play a critical role in the team’s success.
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