Kierra Wheeler’s intensity is pushing Norfolk State through a challenging December

During a chaotic first-half scramble for a rebound against Saint Louis, Wheeler found herself surrounded by three opposing players, fighting fiercely to control the loose ball. She reached, jumped, and tipped, keeping the play alive.

As the ball squirted free, Norfolk State 5’7 sophomore guard Da’Brya Clark swooped in with the tenacity of a pit bull claiming its prize, snatching the ball from a Billiken defender. Her effort earned a foul with just 16 seconds left in the half. Following the game, Clark also had a tiny bloodstain on her white uniform.

“Her intensity fuels the whole team,” Clark told The Next about Wheeler’s impact outside of her locker room, while holding a green washcloth. “I feel like everybody has something in them that they use to fuel them and get them fired up to play. I feel like everybody brings their intensity, and we don’t stop.”

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Norfolk State has continued winning. The two-time Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) tournament champions are off to a roaring 8-3 start to the season behind the dominant play of its opponent-wilting duo of Diamond Johnson and Wheeler. The pair combined for 45 points in the Spartans’ 75-66 victory over Saint Louis at the Entertainment & Sports Arena last weekend.

After being named the 2024 MEAC Player of the Year, Wheeler has returned this season better than ever, even though her overall scoring numbers are down. She’s used to being surrounded by a gaggle of sweaty defenders through times of cramping muscles and bone-weary fatigue and through body-banging bouts beneath the boards.

Wheeler’s leadership and patience is a testament to her unwavering determination.

Wheeler is a throwback. The more contact she takes, the better she thrives. She resembles a miniature version of Rebekkah Brunson with her work ethic, instincts for the ball, and buzzing activity. She comes to every game with her hard hat, tool belt, and lunch pail. Steady, strong, and silent, Wheeler inflicts her damage on the game, punches out, and moves on to the next challenge.

Norfolk State head coach Larry Vickers immediately knew he had somebody special the first time he saw Wheeler play at Daytona State College.

“What you look for is to see kids that love the game,” Vickers said to The Next. “Then you want to do your research from there, and she loves basketball. …  She’s a worker in the gym early and extra workouts during the week, so we’re proud of that … She’s getting two bodies on her every time. Rebounding-wise, I think she has a tremendous feel for the game, and her basketball IQ is improved.”

Wheeler is still producing at a high level despite the increased attention. She leads the conference in blocked shots (1.9) and is second in rebounding (8.6), fourth in field goal percentage (46.2%), and fifth in scoring (15.2). She has four double-doubles, including a season-high 22 points and 10 rebounds in the win over Saint Louis.

Following the game, Wheeler was excited about her growth as a player and spending time with her mom in the stands.

“I’ve been challenged a lot this year,” Wheeler told reporters in the postgame press conference. “The attention that has come around me, and coach told me it will be much harder for me to score because people are doubling me. So, my growth this year has been more mental. So now I keep going and persevering to make sure that the stuff I worked on this summer will show in the game.”

Wheeler’s dedication to improving her shooting range was evident when she made three 3-pointers in a standout 19-point performance against Alabama. While she won’t be confused with Caitlin Clark in terms of long-range shooting, Wheeler has diversified her scoring this season. According to Her Hoop Stats, 7.2% of her points come from 3-point distance, up from 1.1% last year. This season, her 3-point rate is 11.1%, a significant increase from previous years.

In her two NCAA Tournament appearances, Wheeler had the pleasure of going against Stanford’s Cameron Brink and South Carolina’s Aliyah Boston. Despite giving up several inches, Wheeler attacked the back-to-back Lisa Leslie Award winners with relentless fury. It’s those moments Wheeler loves because she got an opportunity to showcase her talent on a national stage.

Saint Louis head coach Rebecca Tillett complimented Wheeler when asked what impressed her following the game.

“She’s got great body control,” Tiller said of Wheeler. “You know, she gets to her spots, and you got to guard her the whole possession. And you think you might have her, and then she will sneak in there for an offensive rebound or hit a jumper in your face if you take a break. You can’t take a break against a player like her.”

Johnson has enjoyed witnessing Wheeler’s improvement. They have chemistry, and it shows during games. Their competitive energy also shows during practices as they push each other, which translates to their teammates.

“I saw her grow mentally,” Johnson said. “You know, when stuff goes wrong, she stays positive. Like she said, she’s been in the gym all summer. We have been in the gym together, so it’s just positivity, having that competitive edge, and still knowing that we are sisters at the end of the day. And as you said, the chemistry grew increasingly as we played with each other and in practice.”

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While Wheeler is often doubled, it’s fine because she’s a willing passer, and the Spartans have an ocean of options around her that can do significant damage. Johnson leads the MEAC in scoring with an 18.5 point-per-game average.

Norfolk State has benefited from the improvement of 5’8 sophomore guard Anjanae Richardson, scoring at an 8.2 point per game clip. Savvy 5’8 senior guard Niya Fields averages 6.5 points per contest, while Clark scores at a 6.8 point per game clip.

Against the Billikens, Wheeler reminded everyone of how dominant she can be by scoring 10 points in the third quarter. The Minneapolis native missed a short shot at the rim and, in one motion, jumped and tipped the ball in the basket. In another sequence, Wheeler sank a short shot inside the foul line.

“Diamond and I always compete, and we’re very loud in practice,” Wheeler said. “We talk to each other about being loud in the games. We’re very humble people. They call us good basketball players, but we like to stay focused on the game. But it brings energy to the team when we amp them up and amp ourselves up.”

The Spartans opened eyes nationally with a road win over Missouri last month. Along the way, Norfolk State has also earned tough victories against opponents from the Coastal Athletic Association, Big South, Atlantic 10, Mountain West, and, of course, the Southeastern Conference.

Norfolk State looks forward to challenges during a tough December with a highly anticipated road game on Sunday at CAA preseason favorite and former MEAC member North Carolina A&T.

“We just want to keep checking boxes and improving as a team,” Vickers said. “North Carolina A&T is behind us in the HBCU rankings, so that’ll be one versus two. Coach Robinson and I are familiar with each other, but we haven’t seen each other in a few years so it will be a good test. It’s going to be a good and fun month. Hopefully, we can come out on the winning side.”

There is also a home game against last year’s CAA tournament champion, Drexel, on Dec. 18, along with road games against North Carolina and Auburn after Christmas.

“Puerto Rico was a good challenge as far as the teams that, you know, we see in the NCAA tournament,” Johnson said. “December is going to be even more of a challenge to see how we can start off. You know, they got us ranked 11th in the mid-major poll. So, these would be good tests for us to compete against top teams and show people that we can compete with those teams.”

The Spartans enjoyed their trip to Puerto Rico despite dropping two of three close games to Washington State and Green Bay. Even though they created memories and got closer as a team, the Spartans still remained focused on their goals.

“I’m very excited, honestly,” said Wheeler of the Spartans upcoming games. “I think November was a test for us. We were able to identify our strengths and weaknesses. December is going to be a big moment for us to step up and play 40 minutes of good basketball and intense basketball as we can against quality teams. So, when it comes to these next few games, I want to make sure my team is locked in.”

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