Penn State Basketball’s Jamari Wheeler transfers to B1G rival
By Evan Smith
Former Penn State Basketball standout Jamari Wheeler has announced he will spend his fifth year in the scarlet and gray, transferring to (the) Ohio State University.
Jamari was the most outspoken in defense of Pat Chambers and even in his departure twitter post went out of his way to speak complimentary of the previous administration.
"“I want to personally thank Coach Chambers and his staff for making my experience like no other. The belief they showed in me and the guidance they provided gave me the tools and knowledge necessary to play this game at the highest level.”"
There was very little doubt he wouldn’t come back to Penn State.
Transferring to a nearby, inter-conference rival was likely his final shot at the Penn State Athletic Department for, in his view, treating his coach Pat Chambers so poorly. It’s likely new coach Micah Shrewsberry knew something like this was coming as he referenced wanting the players back “that want to be here.”
Wheeler averaged 6.8 points per game last year for the Nittany Lions to go with 4.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists. He was on the Big Ten All Defensive team, finishing second in the league in steals with 1.8 per game. Most impressively, he improved his three point shooting percentage substaintially, finishing over 35% the past two seasons after shooting under 20% the two years prior.
It’s going to hurt seeing him coming back to the Bryce Jordan Center in rival colors but he deserves nothing but the loudest of applauses from Nittany Nation. Thanks for everything Jamari, we will miss you!
https://twitter.com/Jamariwheeler5/status/1377063251477999622