HBCU Legends

Norfolk State Star Kierra Wheeler Flips Commitment From Auburn To West Virginia

The Mountaineers will get a strong inside presence with Wheeler.

Kyle T. Mosley

Mar 22, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA; Norfolk State Spartans forward Kierra Wheeler (22) celebrates during the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
Mar 22, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA; Norfolk State Spartans forward Kierra Wheeler (22) celebrates during the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images / Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
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Norfolk State's senior power forward and HBCU women's basketball star, Kierra Wheeler, announced via social media she has committed to the West Virginia Mountaineers for the 2025-26 women's basketball season.   

Wheeler, 6-1, will join head coach Mark Kellogg and his staff, who guided WVU to a 24-7 overall, 13-5 Big 12 conference record last season.

Former Norfolk State coach Larry Vickers accepted the head coaching position at Auburn after the No. 13 Spartans lost to No. 3 Maryland in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Women's Tournament.

Many anticipated Wheeler would commit to following Vickers south to Auburn, but she decided to decommit, blindsiding her former coach and the Tigers women's basketball program. Her change of heart surprised many pundits who believed joining Vickers would give Auburn a substantial boost in the SEC.

Kierra Wheeler
Kierra Wheeler / Credit: NSU Athletics

Wheeler and Diamond Johnson formed a dynamic duo on the court that dominated HBCU women's basketball, achieving a 30-5 overall record and a perfect 14-0 record in the MEAC.

As a junior, the Minneapolis native had a tremendous season at Norfolk State. She was named the 2024 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Player of the Year, averaging 17.5 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks a game.  

Wheeler notched nine 20-point games, two 30-point efforts, and 13 double-doubles. BOXTOROW also named her its HBCU National Player of the Week twice for her outstanding games against Coppin State (Feb. 24) and Morgan State (Feb. 26) for 2024.

In the 2024-25 season, Keirra Wheeler averaged 15.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per contest. She added 80 blocks, 65 steals, and 49 assists for the Spartans. Her best game of the year was a 28-point effort against Coppin State on Feb. 22.

Throughout her career at Norfolk State, Wheeler has been a force in the paint. She has consistently delivered impressive game performances by averaging 14.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.67 blocks, and 1.2 assists. Her journey as one of the standouts in HBCU women's basketball will always be remembered.

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Kyle T. Mosley
KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019.  Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four.  My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances:  WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert),  KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews:  Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns.  For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me: