Sahvir Wheeler expected to be the "best point guard in the country"

For the last two seasons, Sahvir Wheeler has led the Southeastern Conference in assists. He was tabbed as a Bob Cousy Award finalist in 2021-22, which goes to the nation’s top overall point guard. Wheeler’s 207 assists with Kentucky last season ranked fourth in program history and his 193 assists with Georgia the year prior set the program’s single-season record. There aren’t many, if any, “pure point guards” in college basketball better than him.

Now entering his senior season and second in Lexington, the 5-foot-9 Wheeler needs to bring even more to the hardwood in 2022-23. The Kentucky coaching staff has been impressed with his development throughout the offseason so far and has high expectations for the returning floor general.

“The next step for him is continuing his growth,” Kentucky associate head coach Orlando Antigua told the media on Thursday. “Shooting the ball, one, and continuing to be a great leader. We expect him to go ahead and be a fierce defender on the ball like he has been. To continue to lead the team.”

Leadership, playmaking, and point-of-attack defense are where Wheeler thrived a season ago. He’ll be expected to bring those same tendencies this coming year, but he’ll have to shake off some of last season’s baggage along the way. Injuries near the end of the 2021-22 schedule did him and the team no favors entering the final stretch. His 30.8 shooting percentage from distance left much to be desired, too.

Fans often remember the most recent thing that happened, but it’s tough to ignore how important Wheeler was throughout the course of the entire season.

“It’s a gift and a curse of the Big Blue Nation. They’re so invested, and we understand the dynamics of that… We understand that and I think Sahvir understands that,” Kentucky assistant coach Chin Coleman told the media on Thursday. “I think the main thing for him to do is to maintain; continue to chop wood, so to speak. Get better every single day, every single possession, and he’s been doing that.”

Last season, Wheeler was often referred to as the player who “stirs the drink” for Kentucky on both ends of the floor. But at times, his sporadic approach could burn the ‘Cats in important situations. Late-game situations, in particular, are an area the staff is honing in on with Wheeler.

“He and I spend a lot of time together on and off the floor,” Coach Coleman added. “We’re working on a lot of things and hopefully everyone will see all of the stuff that we’ve been working on. It’s more situational awareness, and what I mean by that is the last five minutes of the game, last seven minutes of the game. Understanding the situation and being aware, the do’s and the don’ts. Taking less risk and being more efficient and sharper. We’ve talked about that ad nauseam so I’m expecting for him to be the best point guard in the country.”

The idea that Wheeler can be the best point guard in all of college basketball isn’t exactly a stretch. He was considered one of the top five lead ball handlers in the country just a season ago, according to the Bob Cousy Award, and three of those five finalists are now in the NBA. But how can he push himself into a category of his own?

“It’s feel. And obviously he’s going to be reminded of it repeatedly,” Coleman said. “I’m gonna be on the bench reminding him, even in Bahamas. This is a different part of the game, we gotta get better, we gotta start right now. Changing the focus mentally, determining the situation determines what we’re doing. If we’re running that action, we gotta run that action. We gotta get the best shot possible, we gotta get a great shot, not just go for the home run and the ooh’s and aah’s. That stuff is good, but when it’s time to win the game, we gotta play winning basketball.”