INDIANAPOLIS - The IUPUI men's basketball program and head coach Byron Rimm II announced the signing of Simon Wheeler III (Detroit, Mich./Bella Vista College Prep [Ariz.]) to a National Letter of Intent to join the Jaguars, beginning next season. The 5-foot-11 point guard helped Ypsilanti Lincoln (Mich.) to a 19-3 mark during the 2019-2020 season before the high school season was halted due to COVID-19. Given the uncertainty of the 2020-2021 high school season, Wheeler opted to attend Bella Vista Prep, where he's currently playing his final season. 

"We're beyond excited that Simon decided to join our program and become part of the Jaguar family," Rimm said. "He's an unbelievable player and just makes everyone around him better. He knows how to drive his teammates to be the best they can be and he knows how to lead a team on the floor with his vision and playmaking. He's incredible in pick-and-roll - he's almost unstoppable. His vision and decision making makes him really hard to guard. He's a good shooter with a quick release and is good about getting his shot off against bigger defenders.

"Defensively, he's a pest. He's really good on the ball and makes the game really hard for the other team. He understands spacing, plays passing lanes well and really thrives in transition. Pound for pound, he's one of the best players out there. We're excited to get him here and get him in the mix with our guys coming back."

Wheeler was the starting point guard at Ypsilanti Lincoln in the 2019-2020 season as the Railsplitters were the defending MHSAA Division I state champions. He averaged 6.0 points, 3.6 assists and 1.9 steals per game while playing alongside the nation's top ranked player, Emoni Bates. Wheeler joined Ypsilanti Lincoln after playing the previous season at Ferndale High School. His game has also made him an online sensation as he boasts more than 80,000 Instagram followers and has YouTube vidoes featuring his game that have drawn more than 250,000 views. 

"Simon's a great student and comes from a great family. He's just an all around great kid," Rimm said. 

"Signing my NLI was a big accomplishment for me. Joining IUPUI means a lot and Coach Rimm makes it feel like I'm family already and the fans are pumped already, so I'm ready to get to Indy and get to work," Wheeler said. "That is just the smaller picture though. Signing the NLI was good, but the next step is getting the Horizon League championship."

Wheeler chose IUPUI over similar offers from Detroit Mercy, Marist and Wright State and is the Jaguars lone signee of the early signing period.