On Wednesday, March 26, the Philadelphia 76ers signed Phillip Wheeler to a 10-day contract to help ease their injury struggles as they look to close the curtain on a horrible 2024-2025 season. Without hesitation, the new signing hit the ground running immediately, appearing in the Sixers’ 119-114 loss to the Washington Wizards.
In the aftermath of Chuma Okeke’s exit, the Sixers were on the immediate lookout for another signing through a hardship exception, and Maine Celtics forward Phillip Wheeler was deemed a suitable option.
The 22-year-old, who spent several seasons in the G League, has played for different teams, including the Mexico Capitanes, Rio Grande, Valley Vipers, Iowa Wolves, Texas Legends, and, before joining the Sixers, the Maine Celtics.
Over 83 career G League regular-season games with these teams, Wheeler has averaged 4.5 rebounds and 11.2 points on 49.4 percent shooting. This season, he has played in 25 G League regular-season games and 16 starts for the Texas Legends and the Maine Celtics, averaging 15.3 points and 5.6 rebounds.
On his NBA debut against the Washington Wizards, the forward managed four points and four rebounds and will be looking to add more numbers to his NBA account in as many games as his 10-day contract permits him.
“It’s a blessing, honestly. This morning, I woke up; I didn’t think I was going to be here. It’s a blessing and an opportunity,” Wheeler said after the game. “I can cry about it right now, honestly, because where I started, I didn’t think I was going to be here.”
“Starting off in Italy when I was 16, off of just, let’s try to make something happen. A year goes by, I got my first little NBA G League tryout, and after that, it was history. Try out player with the Rio Grande Vipers and, they cut me, and I had became a practice player. Just practice with them all the time to try to make my way out, meet new people, connections, all that kind of things.”
The injuries of Joel Embiid, Paul George, Tyrese Maxey, Lonnie Walker, Eric Gordon, Andre Drummond, Jared McCain, and Kelly Oubre have irreparably damaged the Sixers’ season, leading them to their sixth loss in a row. However, with the addition of Phillip Wheeler, who plans to make an instant impact on the team, the Sixers’ search for a win continues as they host the Miami Heat on Saturday.
“Just show everybody who I am, honestly. Just come into work every day and trying to extend what I got. One step on the right direction. Gotta keep the next one coming forward.”
