Kentucky basketball loses point guard Sahvir Wheeler to transfer portal after two seasons
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky point guard Sahvir Wheeler will seek a fresh start elsewhere for his final college season. Wheeler entered the NCAA transfer portal Monday, a school spokesperson confirmed to The Courier Journal. ESPN's Jeff Borzello was first to report the news.
A Houston native, Wheeler missed the final 11 games of the Wildcats' 2022-23 season because of various injuries.
Two days later, Wheeler thanked Kentucky fans and his former teammates and coaches in a message on his Instagram.
"He decided that he wants to graduate and play one more year because of the injuries he faced this year," Kentucky coach John Calipari wrote Monday in a Twitter post. "He also wanted a fresh start, and I supported his decision. Sahvir has been a big part of our team and we wish him nothing but the best."
Wheeler's next stop will be his third school in five years; he transferred to UK prior to the 2021-22 campaign after two seasons at Georgia.
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I talked with Sahvir a few days ago and he decided that he wants to graduate and play one more year because of the injuries he faced this year. He also wanted a fresh start, and I supported his decision. Sahvir has been a big part of our team and we wish him nothing but the best.
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) March 27, 2023
In his first season as a Wildcat, Wheeler was a finalist for the Bob Cousy Award, given to the nation's best point guard, after dishing out 207 assists, the fourth most in a single season in Kentucky history. His 6.9 assists per game in 2021-22 led the SEC and ranked third nationally.
Along with Oscar Tshiebwe, the reigning unanimous player of the year, Wheeler decided to return for his senior season.
His 5.6 assists per game in 2022-23 would have topped the conference for the third consecutive season had he played in enough games to qualify. Wheeler missed a total of 12 games — including UK's opener — because of various injuries.
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During the team’s Senior Night ceremony, he received a rousing ovation from the Rupp Arena crowd — even though he wasn’t in attendance after undergoing a medical procedure earlier that day.
Wheeler's last game playing for the Wildcats was Feb. 4 in a home win over Florida. Hoping to return in the postseason, he participated in pregame warmups ahead of UK’s two NCAA Tournament games, against Providence and Kansas State, respectively.
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Wheeler's 656 assists through four seasons are the fifth most in SEC history. His 324 assists at UK ranks 14th in the program's record books. Wheeler's 6.4 assists per game would be the top average in school history if he had played in at least 60 games. His 51 games played came up just short.
With Wheeler's transfer, the Wildcats enter next season looking for a new point guard. Freshman Cason Wallace, who shared ballhandling duties this season with Wheeler, is expected to declare for the NBA draft and not return in 2023-24. UK brings in a five-man recruiting class next season that includes guards Robert Dillingham and DJ Wagner.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @RyanABlack.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky basketball news: Sahvir Wheeler enters NCAA transfer portal
