Two UGA basketball players earn SEC postseason honors

Georgia basketball player K.D. Johnson (0) during a game against LSU at Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, Ga., on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021. (Photo by Tony Walsh)

Georgia sophomore Sahvir Wheeler was named to the All-SEC second team while youngster K.D. Johnson earned All-SEC freshman honors.

Wheeler was named second-team All-SEC in balloting of both league coaches and the Associated Press. 

Wheeler leads the SEC in both assists (7.2 APG) and double-doubles (seven). The Texas native also ranks No. 3 in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.64), No. 3 in playing time (34.8 mpg), No. 7 in steals (1.6 SPG) and No. 16 in scoring (14.0 ppg). Wheeler ranks second nationally in total assists with 180, which is a single-season record at UGA. He also recorded the program’s first triple-double in an upset win over LSU earlier this season. His 7.2 assists per game average is the highest by any SEC player since 1993.

“It’s a great accomplishment, a great award,” Wheeler said. “I’m thankful for all the coaches and media that voted me in. I also want to give a special shoutout to my teammates and my coaches. Without them, I wouldn’t be here. I think this also is a testament to how much work I put in during the offseason. To see it come to fruition and see some of my goals accomplished is an awesome feeling.”

On the other hand, Johnson is the team’s second-leading scorer as he averages 13.6 points per game. Johnson has only played in 15 games so far this season but has produced a team-high four 20-point scoring outings. In back-to-back road games, he had 22 points against Tennessee and 24 points versus Alabama. The freshman has been a huge help since becoming academically eligible in early January.

“It’s an and honor and I’m very happy that I made the team, but, I’m focused on the team and the game that’s ahead of us on Thursday,” Johnson said. “I’m excited about the award, but I’m more excited about the run we’re about to try to go on to get to March Madness.’ We’re just taking it one game at a time.”

Georgia will open play in the 2021 SEC Tournament on Thursday night when the 10th-seeded Bulldogs face seventh-seeded Missouri at 7:00 p.m. ET. Georgia upset the Tigers, who were then ranked No. 20/19 nationally, earlier this season on Feb. 16 in Athens. Justin Kier’s 16 points led five Bulldogs in double figures in the 80-70 victory.

UGA Sports Communications contributed to this article.