Meet the 2022-23 Kentucky Wildcats: Sahvir Wheeler earns respect as first-team All-SEC pick
READ MORE
Need to know: Where every Wildcat fits for 2022-23
Meet every member of the University of Kentucky men’s basketball team through a series of preseason stories.
Expand All
We’re getting to know all 15 of the 2022-23 Kentucky Wildcats. Here is what to expect from one of the UK seniors. Watch Kentucky.com for stories about all of the remaining Cats as the preseason unfolds.
Sahvir Wheeler
Uniform number: 2.
Height/weight: 5-9, 180.
Position: Guard.
Class: Senior.
Age: 21.
Hometown: Houston.
High school: Houston Christian.
Wheeler’s role in 2022-23: Kentucky’s starting point guard from a season ago is back — a bit of a rarity in the Calipari era. Wheeler has led the Southeastern Conference in assists in each of the past two seasons, and he’s a pesky defender. He was a Bob Cousy Award finalist last season and begins this one as a first-team All-SEC selection.
When he’s at his best, Wheeler is a force with the ball — disorienting defenses and finishing with style at the rim. Consistency and efficiency have been issues, however, and Wheeler finished the season with a six-turnover game — including multiple miscues during crunch time — in that shocking NCAA Tournament loss to Saint Peter’s.
One key to his game this season will be limiting the mistakes and finding ways to rein in his often-frenetic style while still utilizing that speed, quickness and creativity to keep defenses off guard. Another will be improving enough as a shooter to keep those defenses honest.
“You can’t be a player out there that’s not being guarded or you won’t be in,” Calipari said recently. “They got to respect you and your shot.”
Wheeler will have a fellow point guard in the backcourt this season — projected lottery pick Cason Wallace, who is 7 inches taller and a terrific two-way player — so, if his efficiency is lacking on certain nights, Calipari will have another formidable option to put on the ball.
This story was originally published November 4, 2022 at 3:00 PM.
