In a dramatic twist that showcases the unpredictable dynamics of modern college basketball recruiting, Norfolk State standout Kierra Wheeler has reversed her Auburn commitment to attend West Virginia University.
The 2023 MEAC Player of the Year initially pledged to follow her coach, Larry Vickers, to Auburn on April 11, only to decommit hours later and announce her WVU commitment on April 13.
From Spartan Star to Mountaineer
The 6’1″ forward from Minneapolis caused a stir on social media with her announcement, particularly after photos emerged of her WVU visit showing her posing with cash in the air. As Skim Milkey noted on X, “The visit pic with cash in the air sums up the last few weeks of college basketball well,” highlighting the new reality of college sports in the NIL era.
Well this is pretty massive…
Former Norfolk State Women’s Basketball Star Kierra Wheeler just committed to @WVUWBB on Instagram
This comes after Wheeler committed and then de-committed from Auburn on Friday
MeMe is goin’ to the BIG12@WAVY_News @HbcuPass pic.twitter.com/6OkLVd5QqV
— James Kattato (@jckattato) April 14, 2025
Wheeler’s journey to Morgantown follows an impressive collegiate career that began at Daytona State College in 2021-22 before she transferred to Norfolk State.
During her three seasons with the Spartans, the Minnesota native established herself as one of the MEAC’s dominant forces, averaging 17.6 points and 9.7 rebounds during her breakout sophomore campaign.
Wheeler’s senior season saw Her maintain her elite production, with 15.8 points and 8.9 rebounds per game for the full 2024-25 season (up from 15.2 points in the regular season), earning first-team All-MEAC and All-MEAC Defensive Team honors.
Despite her on court success, Coach Vickers noted Wheeler “struggled to mature into a vocal leader” during the 2024-25 season, a challenge she faced while dominating on the court.
Wheeler entered the transfer portal on March 26, shortly after Vickers departed Norfolk State to take the head coaching position at Auburn. The timing suggested Wheeler would follow her mentor, which briefly appeared to be the case when she committed to Auburn on April 11 before the shocking reversal later that day.
The forward’s decision to join WVU adds her to a Mountaineers roster that already features JJ Quinerly, a former Lake Taylor High standout and a finalist for the 2024-25 Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Association All-America Team.
Quinerly, also named to the Naismith Watch Lists, forms a potentially dynamic pairing with Wheeler that could elevate WVU’s standing in the competitive Big 12 conference.
Transfer Portal Transformation
Wheeler’s rapid commitment flip has sparked debate about the current state of college athletics. Over the hours following the news, several reactions emerged on social media.
A user on X stated, “Yup, college sports is broken” while later that day another user called the situation “pathetic” and supported limiting transfers to “one free transfer” before requiring athletes to redshirt for subsequent moves.
An X user voiced confusion shared by many fans, questioning, “Why didn’t she stick with Auburn? Her coach is there.” The lack of clear answers surrounding Wheeler’s sudden decision highlights the often murky decision-making process that now characterizes the transfer portal era.
KEEP READING: Which Power 5 Women’s Basketball Transfers Will Make the Biggest Impact in 2025?
Landing a player of Wheeler’s caliber represents a major coup for West Virginia in its roster-building efforts.
Her scoring prowess, rebounding ability and defensive skills make her a versatile addition who could immediately impact the Mountaineers’ fortunes as they prepare for the 2025-26 campaign.
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