Brightest Future Award: Sahvir Wheeler
Entering the season, Georgia basketball didn’t have a true point guard. Edwards played some point guard, but transfer Donnell Gresham Jr. started at the point and played fairly well for the most part, but Georgia needed a spark from point guard. A player who could dish the rock while scoring in a multitude of ways.
For that spark, Georgia turned to true freshman Sahvir Wheeler midway through the season. While he played sloppy at times, he always brought an energy that permeated through the team. Georgia’s offense ran faster with Wheeler at the point. He presented opposing defenses with a new challenge because they had to address him as a slasher, not just a passer.
Wheeler scored off some unbelievable layups after taking the starting job around. Regardless of how tight the defense was, Wheeler always found ways to bounce the ball off the backboard in just the right way for it to fall through the hoop.
Passing is where Wheeler excels the most. His freshman campaign ended with 139 assists, tied with Willie Anderson’s 1988 season for 14th in school history. Wheeler also set the school record for assists by a freshman.
If Wheeler can clean up his play, improve on defense and work on outside shooting, he’ll put a lot of fear in opposing teams throughout the rest of his Georgia basketball career.