Wheeler’s apparent injury mars Kentucky’s workout for NBA scouts
With barely 15 minutes remaining in Kentucky’s practice Monday, Sahvir Wheeler crumpled to the floor near mid-court and stayed down.
Wheeler, the transfer from Georgia expected to provide the heady point guard play so often absent for UK last basketball season, injured his left ankle, UK said. The injury came as he moved laterally on defense. There was no contact. The injury is being evaluated, UK said.
After remaining prone on the court for several minutes, Wheeler was helped to a sideline chair. He put no weight on his left foot as associate coach Orlando Antigua and a trainer got him to the chair.
Wheeler grimaced as his ankle was examined, and then was helped off the Rupp Arena court.
Until the injury, Wheeler had shown the kind of competitive spirit that had prompted SEC Network analyst Seth Greenberg to liken him to a combination of Tyrese Maxey and Tyler Ulis during Sunday’s Pro Day telecast.
When caught guarding Oscar Tshiebwe on a switch, Wheeler yielded no ground in boxing out the big man. On another occasion, a switch left Wheeler guarding Tshiebwe on a pick-and-roll action. Although at a 12-inch height disadvantage, Wheeler again competed as the two moved in tandem toward the basket.
In post-practice remarks posted on Twitter, UK Coach John Calipari did not update Wheeler’s condition.
The two-hour practice concluded Kentucky’s 48-hour Pro Day event. NBA scouts and the media attended Monday’s workout.
Other memorable moments included:
▪ Tshiebwe, the transfer from West Virginia expected to give UK a presence around the basket, flashed physicality and finesse. On several occasions, he guarded ball handlers out beyond the three-point line.
And when showing the expected zeal for rebounding on one occasion, he sent Kellan Grady flying off his feet and skidding about 10 feet before coming to a halt.
▪ Wheeler was not the only UK player to apparently feel pain. Earlier, Keion Brooks went down while apparently trying to take a charge. After a few moments, he got up and seemed to test his left leg to make sure all was well. He returned to action.
▪ Much of the talk about improved perimeter shooting has centered on transfers CJ Fredrick and Grady.
During a three-point shooting drill, freshman Bryce Hopkins made 15 straight from the right corner.
▪ Jacob Toppin, Lance Ware, Fredrick and Hopkins participated on a limited basis.
▪ Before the practice, UK showed reporters how fans should enter Rupp Arena this season. One entrance is on the High Street side directly across from Gate 2 of the parking lot.
The other entrance for fans is on the Main Street side one block west of Broadway. With this entrance, fans will go up stairs or an escalator two flights to then enter Rupp Arena.
▪ Calipari spoke optimistically in post-practice remarks posted on Twitter.
“Got a ways to go,” he said. “It’s going to be a climb. But, I’ll tell you, this group has a chance because of their fight, their physicalness (and) their competitive spirit.”
Calipari said he would give the players Tuesday and Wednesday off because of the “anxiety” built up by a televised practice Sunday and a two-day experience in front of NBA scouts.
Next on the basketball calendar is Big Blue Madness on Friday night.
Calipari noted that UK did not have a Madness last year because of COVID-19 precautions.
“Our fans, that’s the difference in this program,” he said. “That’s the separator in this program. Engaged, raging fans that are all about this program.
“Can’t wait to see everybody.”
Important upcoming UK dates
Oct. 15: Big Blue Madness (7 p.m., SEC Network)
Oct. 22: Blue-White Scrimmage (7 p.m., SEC Network)
This story was originally published October 11, 2021 at 7:11 PM.
