Rio Grande Valley Vipers Acquire Returning Rights To Phillip Wheeler

EDINBURG, Texas (TXAN 24) — The Rio Grande Valley Vipers have acquired the returning rights to Phillip Wheeler and a 2027 first-round NBA G League Draft pick from the Osceola Magic.

In exchange, the Vipers sent the returning rights to Ricky Council IV to Osceola.

Wheeler, a 6-foot-8 forward, began his G League career with Rio Grande Valley in 2021 as a practice player before appearing in two regular-season games that season.

He averaged 14.9 points and 3.6 rebounds in 36 games with Osceola last season.

Before joining the Magic, Wheeler spent time with the Texas Legends and Maine Celtics. He averaged 15.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists over 25 games with Maine.

Wheeler also played for the Mexico City Capitanes and Iowa Wolves during his G League career.

Council spent one season with the Vipers, averaging 12 points, three rebounds and 3.6 assists in five games before suffering a season-ending injury.

He previously spent two seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers as a two-way player, appearing in 105 NBA games and averaging 6.7 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists.

Council played collegiately at Arkansas after beginning his career at Wichita State.

The Vipers are the NBA G League affiliate of the Houston Rockets.