With all players healthy, there could be 12 Wildcats vying for minutes. Transfer shooting guard CJ Fredrick, who is recovering from a leg injury, did not play, nor did Toppin, but even with them out, UK showed its depth. He finished with 24 points (including 3-of-5 from 3) and 10 assists.Ī dozen players and a 'good problem to have' Players switched teams during the unofficial scrimmage, and Washington, a five-star recruit, ran the point, as well. “When we’re pushing in transition, for some odd reason, every time we push in transition, me and him are always making eye contact with each other.” “The way we play together, we always know where each other is on the court,” Washington said of Wheeler on Wednesday. When he and freshman point guard TyTy Washington were on the same team, Wheeler primarily ran the point, also each should be capable of doing so. Tubby Smith: National championship-winning coach Tubby Smith to be honored by Kentucky basketballĪlthough he turned it over a couple of times early, the 5-foot-9 Wheeler showed his dynamic offensive versatility by flipping it off the glass over taller defenders and then drawing attention on a drive and dishing it while in the air. “I feel like I’m the best play-maker in the country," Wheeler said Wednesday, "and with the guys I have here, we’re gonna do something special.” He turned the ball over five times during Friday's scrimmage, but was a threat with the ball in his hands, tallying 11 points and 11 assists. Wheeler had the most turnovers of all high-major players last season - but the lefty also had the most assists. Dynamic play from Sahvir WheelerĬalipari said Wednesday that he told Sahvir Wheeler, the team’s transfer point guard from Georgia: “You’re not getting four turnovers a game, that ain’t happening here.” This season, he was named to the All-SEC preseason second team, and with his motor, strength and rebounding ability, has the looks of a starting big man. 1 in the country that year in offensive rebounding percentage. Tshiebwe led WVU in scoring and rebounding (11.2 points, 9.3 boards) as a freshman in 2019-20, and ranked No. “You can’t move him,” UK forward Jacob Toppin said.
Calipari noted at media day that Tshiebwe was setting the pace for the team in terms of playing fast, and players praised his relentless rebounding.