NCAA Basketball: 10 teams that should target Kentucky transfer Sahvir Wheeler

Houston

First and foremost, Wheeler was raised in Houston and heading back home might be in the cards after relative tumult at both Georgia and Kentucky. There’s no doubt that Wheeler can contribute at a high level, and helping lead the Cougars into the Big 12 as a veteran leader would be quite the way to end his career.

What’s even more important is that Houston certainly has a need in their backcourt, with First Team All-American Marcus Sasser likely moving on after four impressive years with the program. Wheeler is the type of player that Kelvin Sampson can plug right into this offense and expect consistency and leadership. While Wheeler certainly won’t put up the same type of scoring numbers as Sasser, he’d be a great fit for Sampson’s system. If Jamal Shead and Tramon Mark are both back, then Houston might have one of the nation’s best backcourts once again.

Illinois

This would not be Illinois’s first time plucking a point guard from Kentucky, as the Fighting Illini were leaning on highly-touted freshman Skyy Clark, a former Kentucky recruit, but saw him play a small role before leaving the program over a month ago. Wheeler wouldn’t have far to go and would certainly play a major role on a Fighting Illini team that will be redefining itself again next season.

Wheeler would be one of the veteran pieces on a team that will likely bid adieu to both Terrence Shannon Jr. and Matthew Mayer. Head coach Brad Underwood has not been reluctant to rebuild with transfers, and the Illini do have a pair of solid threats in the frontcourt to build around in Dain Dainja and Coleman Hawkins. With how the season transpired for the Illini, they desperately need strong point guard play and Wheeler might be their favorite option.