Virginia Tech men's basketball center Patrick Wessler announced he's entering the transfer portal on Monday. He has two years of eligibility remaining.
I would like to announce that I will be entering the transfer portal. Thank you to Virginia Tech for giving me a home these last 3 years. I look forward to receiving my BS in Business Marketing this May. With 2 years remaining, I am excited for the next chapter in my career.
— Patrick D. Wessler (@BigPatWessler) March 17, 2025
The Hokies' third portal entry of the day, joining guards Jaydon Young and Rodney Brown Jr., Wessler spent three seasons in Blacksburg. He redshirted in 2022-23 before appearing in 13 games last year. He played in 31 of their 32 contests this season and started one (vs. Louisville) while averaging 3.9 points and 2.9 rebounds per game and shooting 62.5 percent (50-of-80) from the floor.
However, he gave Tech a nice lift down the stretch. After starting forward Mylyjael Poteat suffered an injury at Miami on Feb. 22, Wessler (7-0, 250) played some big minutes against the Hurricanes, the Cardinals, Syracuse, North Carolina and Clemson. He was efficient offensively over that span and averaged 7.4 points and 4.0 rebounds per game while making 18 of his 22 field goals (81.8%). He also blocked four shots.
One of the lefty's best plays of the year came in the regular-season finale in Littlejohn Coliseum — a right-handed hook shot over Viktor Lakhin (6-11), Clemson's All-ACC Honorable Mention center. He was 3-of-3 that day with five boards and two blocks.
good minutes from Big Pat today ?
? 3-3 FG pic.twitter.com/T061VKxFzM— Virginia Tech Men's Basketball (@HokiesMBB) March 9, 2025
A Matthews, N.C., product, he had a team-high effective field goal percentage of 63.1 percent this year, per Ken Pomeroy. Tobi Lawal was next at 60.9 percent — a mark that ranked 70th in the country — though there was a big difference in minutes.
After Tech's defeat to Cal in the ACC Tournament last week, head coach Mike Young said, "A lot was missing [this year]. … We've got to get more talented, and we're going to, quick. … I'm not living through that again." Monday's attrition of Brown Jr., Young and Wessler just feels like the start. The transfer portal officially opens on Monday, March 24.
For now, redshirt freshman Ryan Jones Jr. — a former top-75 recruit who medically redshirted — and incoming four-star freshman Christian Gurdak are the two bigs on the roster.
Here's a look at the Hokies' updated scholarship situation heading into 2025-26:
