The second transfer portal move from the 2022-23 Kentucky basketball roster has been made. Point guard Sahvir Wheeler announced via The Chop Shop that he has officially committed to Washington to play for the Huskies in the Pac 12.
Washington will be the third program in Wheeler's college career, as he played a pair of seasons at Georgia, then UK. He will reunite with former Kentucky forward Keion Brooks Jr, who also transferred to Seattle following the 2021-22 season.
As a freshman in Athens, Wheeler averaged 9.0 points and 4.5 assists for the Bulldogs in a career-high 31 games. He then made a name for himself on a struggling UGA team as a sophomore, leading the SEC in assists with 7.4 per game while also dropping a career-high 14.0 PPG.
Kentucky coach John Calipari then plucked him out of the portal, bringing him to be the starting point guard in the Bluegrass. He started 29 out of 30 games last season, playing a career-high 31.7 minutes-per-game. He once again led the conference in assists at 6.9 a night, while adding 10.1 PPG.
Leading the ship of a team that earned a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, Wheeler earned All-SEC Second-Team honors and was also named a finalist for the Bob Cousy Award, which honors the top point guard in the nation. The highlight of his year came in the CBS Sports Classic against North Carolina, where he managed 26 points, eight assists and four steals in a win over the Tar Heels. He also had a 16-point, 10-assist double-double in the Champions Classic loss to Duke.
Wheeler made the decision to return to UK for a second season, a choice that did not yield positive results. He played in 21 games and averaged a career-low 7.7 points and 5.6 assists.
Injuries hindered his season. A knee knock forced him to miss the season-opener against Howard. A shoulder ailment forced him to sit out in the big road win at Tennessee. Then came an ankle injury and a minor procedure that kept him on the shelf for the final 11 games of the season.
Now, he'll look to close out his college career with a bang in the northwest, rocking purple and gold. He joins shooting guard CJ Fredrick as former Cats to announce new destinations. Fredrick announced his commitment to Cincinnati on April 24. Forward Daimion Collins is now the only Wildcat on the market in the portal.
More on the soon-to-be Wildcats HERE.
Inside Kentucky basketball's somber locker room after NCAA Tourney defeat HERE.
More on the potential roster overhaul in Lexington HERE.
More on the loss to Kansas State HERE.
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