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Hey, Penn State Basketball fans, do not boo Jamari Wheeler!

By Evan Smith

Nov 18, 2021; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard Jamari Wheeler (55) plays the court against the Xavier Musketeers in the second half at Cintas Center. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2021; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard Jamari Wheeler (55) plays the court against the Xavier Musketeers in the second half at Cintas Center. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jamari Wheeler returns to the Bryce Jordan Center for the first time since transferring from Penn State Basketball to Ohio State in the off-season.

Penn State Basketball hosts Ohio State in the conference opener for both teams, in the December opener where each Big Ten team gets one home and road game before returning to the remainder of the non-conference schedule.

It’s been an odd year thus far, resulting in a lot of uncertainty amongst the blue and white faithful.  But one thing is certain.

Jamari Wheeler deserves respect from Penn State Basketball fans tonight.

Wheeler’s tale is well-chronicled.

He was adamant in his support for fired coach Pat Chambers. The Florida native was recruited heavily by Duquesne but decided on Penn State, perhaps in part due to Duquesne firing their head coach named Jim Ferry.

Wheeler gelled immediately with the fans thanks to his tenacious defense and #attitude.  Despite standing at just 6’0″ (and that was probably generous), he was a force on opposing ball handlers resulting in back to back 1st Team B1G All Defense Teams.

He entered the transfer portal just days after AD Sandy Barbour announced the team would not retain interim coach Jim Ferry.  Two weeks later, Wheeler was an Ohio State Buckeye.

Do we like Ohio State?  Absolutely not.

Does Jamari Wheeler deserve our applause in his pregame introduction? Absolutely.

Wheeler did everything right at Penn State.

He graduated in four years. He played all four years, living up to the expectations of his scholarship. He was incredibly hurt by the treatment of Pat Chambers and Jim Ferry and decided he didn’t want to be a part of the program any longer.

Penn State Basketball fans don’t have to cheer when makes a steal in the game or does anything positive for that matter.  Our first and foremost rooting interest tonight is a Nittany Lion win. Fans can certainly jeer every other player wearing the scarlet and gray, but do not boo a member of the Penn State family.

Thanks for everything Jamari, and welcome home.

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