Virginia Tech men’s basketball center Patrick Wessler has officially entered the NCAA transfer portal, becoming the third Hokies player to do so on Monday. Wessler, who has two years of eligibility remaining, joins guards Jaydon Young and Rodney Brown Jr. in exploring opportunities elsewhere.
Wessler spent three seasons in Blacksburg, redshirting during the 2022-23 season before seeing limited action last year. This past season, he appeared in 31 of Virginia Tech’s 32 games, earning one start against Louisville. The seven-foot, 250-pound center averaged 3.9 points and 2.9 rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 62.5% (50-of-80) from the field.
Despite being a role player for most of the season, Wessler stepped up late in the year when the team needed him most. After starting forward Mylyjael Poteat went down with an injury against Miami on February 22, Wessler took on more responsibility, logging valuable minutes in key matchups against Miami, Louisville, Syracuse, North Carolina, and Clemson. During that stretch, he elevated his play, averaging 7.4 points and 4.0 rebounds per game while shooting a remarkable 81.8% (18-of-22) from the field. He also contributed defensively, recording four blocked shots.
One of Wessler’s highlight moments came in the regular-season finale against Clemson, where he made a smooth right-handed hook shot over Viktor Lakhin, Clemson’s All-ACC Honorable Mention center. Wessler finished that game perfect from the field (3-for-3), adding five rebounds and two blocks.
A native of Matthews, North Carolina, Wessler ended the season with the team’s highest effective field goal percentage at 63.1%, according to Ken Pomeroy’s analytics. Tobi Lawal followed at 60.9%, a mark that placed him 70th nationally, though Lawal played significantly more minutes.
Following Virginia Tech’s ACC Tournament loss to Cal, head coach Mike Young voiced his frustrations with the team’s performance and overall talent level. “A lot was missing this year,” Young admitted. “We’ve got to get more talented, and we’re going to, quick. I’m not living through that again.”
With the transfer portal officially opening on March 24, more roster changes could be on the horizon. Currently, Virginia Tech’s frontcourt options for the 2025-26 season include redshirt freshman Ryan Jones Jr., a former top-75 recruit who sat out last season due to injury, and incoming four-star freshman Christian Gurdak.