St. John’s basketball forward Aaron Wheeler ready to thrive in new system

St. John’s basketball forward Aaron Wheeler is ready to thrive in a new system. 

Purdue transfer Aaron Wheeler was looking for a fresh start and he hopes he has found that with the St. John’s basketball program.

After announcing his intentions to leave Purdue and enter the transfer portal in early April, Wheeler was familiar with head coach Mike Anderson because he recruited him out of high school.

When Anderson and the Red Storm came calling to Wheeler, it made all the sense in the world for him to come to Queens.

“I would be closer to home and family and friends,” Wheeler said at St. John’s Media Day on Tuesday afternoon, “I felt like the style also fit me really well.”

Standing at 6-foot-9, 205 pounds the Stamford, Connecticut native explained that he was drawn to the up-and-down style of Mike Anderson’s system and he thinks he will be able to showcase his full skillset.

ALSO READ: St. John’s praises depth as spotlight shines on dynamic duo

“I think I bring versatility. I think I can do a number of things and whatever I am asked to do,” Wheeler said.

“I can stretch the floor, guard multiple positions, get out in transition. I will fit best being able to do different things on the floor and be consistent.”

Wheeler’s best season at Purdue was his most recent one where in played 36 games, not starting a single one, and averaged 4.7 points and 3.0 rebounds in just 13.7 minutes per game.

The forward shot 44.0-percent from the field and 36.5-percent shooting from deep.

Aaron Wheeler said that he’s a position-less player but would describe himself as a hybrid between a power forward and a center.

Newest St. John’s basketball excited to get on court with new team

Not only is Aaron Wheeler ready to breakout with his new school, but the forward is excited to get out on the court to experience what it is like to play in front of St. John’s fans.

“The crowd is really on top of you [at Carnesecca Arena],” Wheeler said but he truly cannot wait for December 18 to get on the court at Madison Square Garden.

ALSO READ: St. John’s confident in pieces around superstar Leilani Correa

Wheeler was at Purdue when the Boilermakers played at The Garden in the 2018 Big Ten Tournament, losing in the championship, but the forward did not get on the court due to redshirting that season.

Aaron Wheeler will get his first taste of regular season action inside Carnesecca Arena on November 9 against Mississippi Valley State at 7:45pm EST.