Sahvir Wheeler grateful to be available again, ignoring outside noise ahead of NCAA Tournament

Sahvir Wheeler was forced to watch his Houston Christian Mustangs close out the regular season from the sidelines as a senior in 2019. Starting the year averaging 19 points, nine assists and seven rebounds per contest, he suffered an untimely torn meniscus, putting the remainder of his final high school season in jeopardy.

Slowly but surely, he inched his way back to the floor, returning just in time for the Southwest Preparatory State Playoffs with a chance to secure a title — his second in as many years. Flirting with triple-double averages of 18 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds per contest, he was the straw that stirred the drink for the Mustangs through the final game, securing a 69-64 rematch win over Episcopal to earn the SPC State Championship.

Sound familiar? Wheeler hopes it does here in a couple of weeks.

The 5-foot-9 senior out of Houston has not played for the Kentucky Wildcats since February 4, a 72-67 win over the Florida Gators. Just short of six weeks he’s been out, watching nine games from the UK bench. First, it was a turned ankle in practice on Feb. 6 ahead of the team’s home matchup vs. Arkansas. Then, a procedure — a rather serious one — prior to the team’s Senior Night loss to Vanderbilt. One setback after another, again to close out his senior campaign. First high school, now college.

Through speculation of a potential shutdown that would unofficially end his time in Lexington, Wheeler stuck with his recovery plan. Get the ankle right, wait for clearance from doctors following his procedure, return to help his team the second he’s able.

Like his senior year at Houston Christian, that time is now. The veteran point guard returned to the practice floor this week and will suit up for the Wildcats on Friday when Kentucky takes on Providence in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament in Greensboro.

Sahvir Wheeler here at Kentucky’s open practice pic.twitter.com/fglMlW1OnD

— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) March 16, 2023

“I’m just super excited to be able to be in this situation again, in the Tournament with my guys,” Wheeler told reporters on Thursday. “Hopefully we do some great things.”

The senior guard admits it’s been tough watching from the bench to close out the regular season and during the SEC Tournament — a quick stop in Nashville. It’s never easy to see losses unfold from the bench, itching to help however he can, but knowing he physically can’t.

Now, he’s ready whenever his number is called, no matter the role. Spark plug energy guy, starter, cheerleader from the bench, whatever. Wheeler is just grateful to be available.

“I’ve been in this situation before, but this is different, you know? This is college basketball,” Wheeler told reporters Thursday. “Day in and day out, I’m gonna do whatever it takes for us to win, whether that’s playing, whether that’s being the biggest cheerleader, whether it’s sharing my knowledge, what I’m seeing with my teammates. Whatever it takes for us to win, that’s what I’m going to do.”

What will he be able to give upon his return to game action? His conditioning may not be the “best it’s ever been,” but he’s still got more than enough in the tank to make an impact: “Conditioning is something I’ve been blessed with,” he said, “I don’t think it’s left me at all.”

He’s been full-go in practice, contact drills and scrimmages included. Workouts have gone well, making treatments and massages a priority afterward and on days off. Sure, he’s been a little sore, but that goes for everyone. “This time of the year, no one’s 100%,” he said. Wheeler joked with reporters that their backs are probably a little tight when (and if) they exercise, too. “That’s all it was, just a little soreness.”

It’s been a trying season for the Houston native, who has averaged 7.7 points, 5.6 assists and 2.3 rebounds in 28.5 minutes per contest, the fewest since his freshman season at Georgia. Just 14 starts overall in 21 total games, both career lows. The Bob Cousy Award finalist’s role has shifted dramatically, seeing the keys — for lack of better phrasing — taken from his hands and handed to blue-chip freshman Cason Wallace during the back half of the season. Injuries limited him early and then took him off the floor completely late.

And then there’s the endless speculation surrounding his intent to play and the curious timing surrounding his recent medical procedure, one that forced him to miss Senior Night entirely. No Wheeler, no family, no video on the jumbotron, nothing. Just Ellen Calipari sporting his No. 2 jersey and accepting the standing ovation from Big Blue Nation on his behalf.

To address the latter point, he doesn’t remember when exactly he learned about the procedure, only that “it had to be done.” And yeah, he agrees the timing was unfortunate, knowing he couldn’t hear the roar from Big Blue Nation one last time inside Rupp Arena.

But it was a necessary medical issue that needed to be taken care of immediately, especially if he wanted to return to game action at some point during the team’s postseason run — he did, clearly. And if it meant getting it done the morning of Senior Night so he could, so be it.

“It was super tough, obviously, just because it was my Senior Day. My parents and stuff, they were supposed to come and I had to cancel on them last-minute,” he said. “… It was hard. I wanted to be out there with my guys, especially the last game here, the last time you ever play at Rupp (Arena). It’s a big thing, a big moment. We have a great fan base that has supported us through the ups and downs, so it was hard not being out there.

“But Coach Cal and his wife did a pretty cool thing, stepping in for me. And I heard the ovation was pretty good, Coach Cal said it was. So I’m super, super thankful for that.”

As for the, well, other stuff, Wheeler hasn’t heard any of it. He was actually surprised that there was a narrative out there that he was quitting on the team or emotional about losing his starting job, at least to the point of taking his ball and going home.

If he was set to never sport a Kentucky uniform again, that was news to him. And he’s baffled that anyone thought he could ever do that by choice, knowing what it means to have the opportunity to be a Wildcat.

“I would hope they were able to watch my energy on the bench. Man, that’s crazy. It’s crazy that you say that was a narrative. Nah, I love this program and I love this team. I love the coaches that I’m surrounded with every day more than many guys will ever be able to dream of. It’s a kid’s dream to be at Kentucky, a kid’s dream to be able to play at this level, play the games I’ve been able to be a part of. So for that to (be the narrative), that’s kind of crazy. I’m super excited.”

Speechless, in fact.

“I’m just — I’m at a loss for words. I’m just so happy to be able to play again, you know what I’m saying? This group of guys, what we’ve gone through individually and as a team, the ups and downs, I’m just super happy to be here.”

That’s all “outside noise” from people who don’t have a say in his own personal life and what defines him as a player and man. He cares about his locker room, parents, siblings and family and those individuals only as he navigates his life in basketball and beyond those 94 feet. That’s his mindset going into the most important and potentially rewarding postseason of his career.

“It’s just about losing yourself in the moment, losing yourself with your guys, you know? Constantly making sure you have a positive attitude, making sure we’re all comfortable. At the end of the day, we all want to win, so whatever I have to do, whatever it takes, that’s what I’m willing to do to help our team.”

No outside noise or distractions, and thankfully, no injuries holding him back. He’s back on the floor for the first time in a month-plus, win-or-go-home situation against a tough, physical team in Providence. It doesn’t get any better than this for Wheeler.

Mentally, he’s in a good place. Physically too. And thankfully, so is the team as a whole. Now, it all comes down to having more points than the opposition when the clock strikes zero Friday evening.

“We know we can do,” Wheeler said. “We’ve gone through ups and downs and I think our guys are comfortable, we’re good. We’re ready to get back to the floor and get ready to play again, show what we can do. At this point in the year, there’s nothing to lose. … For everybody, it’s win or you die, so we’re going out there with a free mind, play as hard as we can play and play for each other.

“At the end of the day, we’ll see what the score is at 0.0.”