Sahvir Wheeler (Georgia Athletics Photo)
Sahvir Wheeler played two years at Georgia but obviously paid attention to the Kentucky basketball program and understood the importance of the program despite last year’s 9-16 finish. That’s why once he put his name into the transfer portal picking Kentucky was an easy choice for the junior point guard.
“The platform that Kentucky has, the stage that if you’re excelling and you’re competing at a high level and you’re being productive, that puts you in a different atmosphere, a different environment than anywhere else,” Wheeler said.
Then he likes the talent level he sees at Kentucky. Last year’s finish did not distract him from the quality he sees at UK.
“Just looking from a roster standpoint, I’ve never got to play with elite shooters like Kentucky has this year on its roster, especially in college. I’ve never got to play with the elite athleticism, the size, the length, the versatility with the wings and the forwards,” he said.
Knowing John Calipari and his staff have put multiple guards into the NBA also appealed to the 5-10 Wheeler.
He also liked the idea of staying in the Southeastern Conference.
“I’ve been in this conference for two years. I’m almost like a vet now. I know what to expect. I know the different coaching styles and the different coaching staffs and what they like,” he said.
“I know what it takes to win. Not only that, I am all-conference, I am All-SEC here, so it’s a conference I’m super familiar with and comfortable with and also productive in.”
The SEC has a rule that a current transfer within the conference has to sit out a year even if transfers outside the conference are eligible immediately. However, he’s confident that will be changed/waived (last year quarterback Joey Gatewood was ruled eligible after transferring from Auburn to UK).
“I wouldn’t have made the move if I felt like I was going to have to sit out this year. At the end of the day, I was just looking for the best opportunity for me whether I was going to play this year or I wasn’t. I was looking forward to an opportunity to play right away,” he said.
“When I was able to play, to have an immediate impact, make an impact on winning, make a run at the national championship, and surround myself with guys who are going to help elevate my game not only from a player standpoint but from a coaching standpoint, that are going to hold me accountable on a day-to-day basis to be at my best, to be the best version of myself.”
