Sahvir Wheeler runs the Kentucky offense but assistant coach Orlando Antigua says he's just as valuable as a defensive disruptor. (UK Athletics Photo)
Having point guard Sahvir Wheeler is a “huge” plus for coach John Calipari’s team this season. He led the Southeastern Conference in assists last year after transferring from Georgia just like he did when he was with the Bulldogs.
“The two most important pieces are point guard and big and you have two guys (Wheeler and Oscar Tshiebwe) that are experienced and have had a lot of success that anchor the team,” Kentucky assistant coach Orlando Antigua said. “The other pieces around him are important but experience at point guard is huge.”
“He’s an extension of Cal on the court and can answer questions before Cal even asks. You just can’t stress how important an experienced point guard can be.”
Antigua is not worried about Wheeler’s sometimes shaky 3-point shooting. He points out that he steadily improved as the season went on.
“But what people really under appreciate is his value as an agitator on defense,” Antigua said. “He is the point of the spear on defense for us to wear teams down and keep them from getting up and down the court. That boosts defensive efficiency and adds to the offense because you get some high percentage shots off the defense.”
“It starts with him wearing guards down and he does that so well. We have got to protect him when he is picking up full court and running so he doesn’t get hammered on screens like he did at times last year.”
Antigua said the Cats want Wheeler to continue to be aggressive even if that sometimes leads to turnovers.
“That comes with the territory of being a point guard. We encourage him to be aggressive and fast,” Antigua said. “Playing fast, his reads have to be faster and teammates have to be in sync with him.”
“We want errors of commission but not omission because he is scared and passive and holds the ball to get an assist at the right minute rather than making the first play. We can live with three or four turnovers if he also gets even or eight assists.”
One Response
Good article! He is a gifted passer with many other good traits. With him on this team, and I feel this will prove to be his strongest team, it will interesting to see what he does with it!