The college sports landscape is forever changing thanks to the transfer portal era. Big-time players are entering, sometimes looking for new scenery, other times looking for more money. Coaches are doing all they can to reach out to as many players as possible, even if they barely peak any interest.
Portaling can clearly make a player make some interesting decisions. Thus far for the 2022-23 Kentucky basketball roster, two players — senior point guard Sahvir Wheeler and freshman center Ugonna Onyenso — are in the portal. Wheeler's entry was the first move of any Wildcat after the disappointing end to the season in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32 and was the least surprising move as well.
He played in 21 games and averaged a career-low 7.7 points and 5.6 assists in his second year in Lexington. Playing time dwindled, but injuries severely hindered the Houston native across the final weeks of the year, as he didn't play in the final 11 games of the season.
"Big Blue Nation, for the past two years you all have been nothing short of amazing. Some of my greatest memories that I will take away from my time at Kentucky will be my time spent interacting with the fans. The community service opportunities that I was able to participate in with you all were invaluable and I will always be thankful," Wheeler wrote in his transfer announcement.
Talks of landing in the Big 12 were rumored upon Wheeler's announcement, as schools like Kansas State were thrown out as potential destinations. On Friday, though, a report surfaced, placing Wheeler in a familiar spot.
On3's Joe Tipton reported that Wheeler — who transferred to Kentucky from Georgia after the 2020-21 season — was taking a visit to Athens and his first program coming out of high school.
As a freshman, 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.
It would be surprising, but a return to Georgia appears to be on the table for the graduate transfer.
More Wildcats who have announced decisions can be found HERE.
Pros and Cons of Tshiebwe Returning for a Third Season at Kentucky
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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