John Calipari voices frustration with outside criticism of Sahvir Wheeler

After Sahvir Wheeler missed Kentucky’s game against Tennessee earlier this month — a 63-56 Wildcats victory — people on social media started wondering about what the team looks like without him. That narrative continued into the next game against Georgia when Wheeler played just 11 minutes and John Calipari ran his “Basketball Benny” lineup.

Although he’s now in a bench role, Calipari voiced his support for his now-former starting point guard.

Wheeler is now a key part of the bench unit as Kentucky is in the midst of a four-game winning streak. Calipari said it wasn’t easy initially, though, when negativity made its way across social media.

“It was hard,” Calipari told reporters. “It was really hard because I wanted to do some stuff, and I thought, ‘I’m not going to give people an opportunity to say I’m blaming anybody.’ I never blame anybody, and I love our fans. The fans that are really into basketball, I love our fans. Now, social media, you’ve got trolls, you’ve got people from other programs or they’re just not basketball fans or they’re not fans of mine and they go crazy. That doesn’t bother me.

“I’ll say it again, if it were my son, what would I do? How mad would I be? It just wasn’t the right time to do anything. I needed him to do what he did so everybody respects who he is as a player and respects that he’s taking on another role and he’s being an all-star at that. It didn’t change anything about his game. He gets to watch the game for a few minutes before he steps in.”

John Calipari on Sahvir Wheeler: ‘That team in there loves him’

Wheeler’s teammates have also spoken out in support of him after his move to the bench, and Calipari said his physical demeanor is part of the reason he’s so valuable. He also saw a learning opportunity from the situation when it comes to reading the comments on social media.

“It’s how he plays,” Calipari said. “A lot of things piled up, and there was a lot of garbage out there that he told me he didn’t read. And I tell them, they may not be people that even like our program. Why would you read that stuff? ‘I don’t.’ Oh, you’re reading it. Hopefully, he learned that from this.

“And he also learned how that team in there loves him and his coach is both feet in until the wheels fall off for him. ‘Now, you may have to come off the bench, but so what? It doesn’t mean I don’t love you, I’m not for you, I won’t be there for the rest of your life as long as I’m living. But someone’s playing better, so they’ve got to be in.’ That’s team. Then you accept it and say, ‘I’m ready, what’s my role? I’m going to do this.'”