Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Ellis Nicole Wheeler [1] | ||
Date of birth | December 14, 2001 | ||
Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) | ||
Position(s) | Defender | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | Kansas City Current | ||
Number | 5 | ||
College career | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2020–2023 | Penn State Nittany Lions | 77 | (3) |
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2024– | Kansas City Current | 13 | (1) |
International career | |||
2020 | United States U-19 | 1 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of July 20, 2024 |
Ellis Nicole Wheeler (born December 14, 2001) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for the Kansas City Current of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She played college soccer for the Penn State Nittany Lions and was selected by the Current in the second round of the 2024 NWSL Draft.
Wheeler grew up in Fairfax Station, Virginia, the daughter of Scott and Nicole Wheeler, and has two brothers. [2] [3] She played club soccer as a forward for FC Virginia of the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL), leading her division in goals in 2015–16. [4] She committed to the Pennsylvania State University in March 2017. [4]
Wheeler was a four-year starter for the Penn State Nittany Lions from 2020 to 2023. [2] She was converted to a defender at the college level, moving to wing back for her first season and then center back in the team's back three as a sophomore. [5] As a junior, she helped the team win the 2022 Big Ten tournament. [3] She recorded three goals and six assists over 77 appearances. [2]
The Kansas City Current selected Wheeler 18th overall in the second round of the 2024 NWSL Draft, the team's highest pick of the night. [6] She was signed to a one-year contract with a one-year option. [7] She made her professional debut in the starting lineup of the season opener on May 16, 2024, and scored the second goal of a 5–4 home win against Portland Thorns FC. [8] On August 27, her contract was extended for four years to keep her with the Current through the 2028 season. [9]
Wheeler participated in Virginia's Olympic Development Program in 2013 and 2014. [4] She was called into a training camp with the United States national under-17 team in July 2018. [10] She was rostered with the national under-19 team for a friendly tournament in Spain in February–March 2020. [11] While in college, she played friendlies with the national under-23 team against NWSL clubs in the 2023 preseason. [12]
Vanessa Sue DiBernardo is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Kansas City Current of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She previously played for and captained the Chicago Red Stars. Internationally, DiBernardo was a member of the United States national under-20 team that won the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.
Raquel "Rocky" Rodríguez Cedeño is a Costa Rican professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Angel City FC of the National Women's Soccer League and the Costa Rica national team.
Mallory Alyse Weber is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Kansas City Current of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).
Elizabeth Rose Ball is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for the Kansas City Current of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She played college soccer for Penn State and has previously played for the Portland Thorns and Utah Royals.
Marisa Marie DiGrande is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Racing Louisville FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).
Leah Pruitt is an American former professional soccer player who played as a forward.
Madeline Marie Nolf is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Rangers in the Scottish Women's Premier League.
Ella Hendley Stevens is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) club NJ/NY Gotham FC. She played college soccer for the Duke Blue Devils before being drafted by the Chicago Red Stars in the 2020 NWSL College Draft.
Brittany Isenhour is a retired American professional soccer player who played as a goalkeeper for Angel City FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).
Kerry Margaret Abello is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for the Orlando Pride of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).
Samantha Grace Coffey is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defensive midfielder for the Portland Thorns in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and for the United States national team. She was drafted by the Thorns in 2021 after playing college soccer at Boston College and Penn State.
Penelope Elizabeth Hocking is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Bay FC in the National Women's Soccer League.
Elisabeth Charlotte Jean is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Racing Louisville FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).
Savannah Mckenzie King is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Bay FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and the United States national under-20 team. She played college soccer for the North Carolina Tar Heels before being drafted second overall by Bay FC in the 2024 NWSL Draft.
Claire Hutton is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defensive midfielder for the Kansas City Current of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and the United States national under-20 team. She signed with the Current at the age of 17 in 2023.
Alexa Christine Spaanstra is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Portland Thorns FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She played college soccer for the Virginia Cavaliers, where she was a five-time All-ACC selection. Internationally, she has played for the United States youth national team, winning CONCACAF tournaments at the under-17 and under-20 levels. She was selected by the Current in the first round of the 2023 NWSL Draft.
Kate Meguire Wiesner is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for the Washington Spirit of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She played college soccer for the Penn State Nittany Lions. She was selected by the Spirit in the first round of the 2024 NWSL Draft.
Gabrielle Robinson is an American professional soccer player who plays as a center back for the Kansas City Current of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She played college soccer for the West Virginia Mountaineers and was drafted by the Current in 2023.
Coriana Dyke is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for the Orlando Pride of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She played collegiately for the Penn State Nittany Lions. She has represented the United States at the youth international level.
Brianna "Bri" Cathleen Martinez is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for the Orlando Pride of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She played collegiately for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and represented the United States at the youth international level.