Sahvir Wheeler had the fourth most assists in a single season at UK last year and John Calipari still believes he can be the difference-maker on next year's team. (Photo by Vicky Graff)
Sahvir Wheeler was a Bob Cousy Award finalist for the nation’s best point guard, second team all-SEC selection by the league’s coaches and media, and third overall in the nation — first in the SEC — with 6.9 assists per game.
“Cal is all in on him (for next year),” UK Radio Network analyst Mike Pratt said.
Calipari was on Sports Talk with Dan Issel and Mike Pratt on Louisville radio last week and definitely made it clear he was ready to let Wheeler run his team again next season.
“Let me say this: Most of this stuff is a small group but they were on Sahvir because of that last game (in the NCAA Tournament against Saint Peter’s). Do you remember Sahvir against North Carolina? And against Kansas, how he played?” Calipari asked Pratt and Issel.
Against national champion Kansas, he had eight assists, seven points, three rebounds and one 3-pointer in 34 minutes in an 18-point UK win. In the victory over national runner-up North Carolina, he had a season-high 26 points on 12-for-15 shooting, eight assists, four steals and three rebounds in 32 minutes during a 28-point win.
Overall, he averaged 10.1 and 2.6 rebounds per game along with his assists and shot 44 percent overall from the field and 78 percent at the foul line. He did have a team-high 91 turnovers and was just 16 of 52 from 3-point range.
“He had a hell of a year until he got injured and then he gained some weight. He didn’t play as well (after his injury) but he’s still that guy. And I told him, ‘If I can get you right and get you steady in who you are and keep improving, because he’s improved, I said, ‘You’re the difference in this stuff,’” Calipari said.
Wheeler transferred to UK from Georgia last season and announced on social media last week that he would be back at UK for the 2022-23 season.
“Calipari is trying to build the kid’s confidence up. He is a solid point guard, not great, but solid,” Pratt said. “He’s good enough to win if you put the right people around him.”
“As a teammate, you know he will pass to you. That’s important. If he gets his game under control like he did before he got hurt, you have a really good point guard and can let the freshman (Cason Wallace) mature as the season goes on.”
Wheeler had 207 assists last season — fourth most in a single season at UK.
9 Responses
Sahvir Wheeler will only have one goal next season and that will be to do whatever he has to do to get into the NBA. His scoring will go up, as will his turnovers, while his assists and steals take a dive. We will not win the SEC title and may not make the Big Dance. I foresee another early round loss in the NIT (Not In Tournament) and Jacob and Damion entering the transfer portal and Lance will most likely do the same. We will be a laughing stock AGAIN, with those who are laughing saying…Nooooo! You need to keep Calipari! He is the PERFECT coach for Kentucky in the eyes of everyone who hates UK.
Jim, I am clairvoyant. Wait a minute…I am seeing something…I predict that you will keep making stupid comments on this site. How’s that for being right on the money!
Who really cares what you foresee? You negative doomsaywrs are all alike. No matter what is said or done, all you want to do is tear down. Go root for Louisville.
Get a life
Where did my post go Larry??
not sure what you mean
There must be another Jim on here so I will change to JR.
Pratt is as stupid as all you others thinking Ky will ever win anything again with Cal in charge!!
I might use a lot of words for Pratt but never stupid when it comes to basketball. Pretty sure is basketball knowledge tops mine and yours Spank