Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Standing at an imposing 7 feet tall and 250 pounds, center Patrick Wessler has developed into an influential presence for the Virginia Tech men’s basketball team in the paint. Under the guidance of head coach Mike Young, Wessler has refined his skills and grown into a key contributor for the Hokies. His improved conditioning, soft touch in the lane and ability to leverage his height have made him a game-changer on both ends of the court.
Before arriving at Virginia Tech, Wessler had an impressive high school and prep career. A four-year letterwinner, the Matthews, North Carolina native earned an invitation to the prestigious Allen Iverson 24K Showcase in Memphis and received a McDonald's All-American nomination. Wessler played his final two seasons at Combine Academy, where he led the program to a state championship in 2021-22, averaging 18 points, 14 rebounds and 2.3 blocks as a senior. That season, Combine finished ranked No. 20 in the country with a 25-5 record.
A key contributor on the AAU circuit with CC Elite, Wessler was ranked the 148th-best prospect in the 2022 class by 247Sports, rated the third-best player in North Carolina and the 24th-best center nationally before committing to Virginia Tech. During his 2022-2023 freshman season, the North Carolina product decided to redshirt—a decision that, while challenging, ultimately proved pivotal for his development.
“It was tough at first. The coaches were adamant that it was just a part of the process and that we had to just keep working, and eventually it would show itself,” Wessler explained. “It was an adjustment, going from starting every game to being on the bench for all of them. Once I got into it, though, it became a real benefit.”
The benefits were clear in his subsequent performances. Last season, Wessler appeared in 13 games, scoring his first collegiate point with a free throw against Florida Atlantic and recording a season-high four points against American. He also shot at least 50% from the floor in four games, laying a strong foundation for future success.
Now in his redshirt sophomore season, Wessler is averaging a career-high 4.9 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. Throughout the first half of the season, he accumulated 73 points along with 32 defensive rebounds and 14 offensive rebounds, underscoring his physicality and aggressive style of play. His defensive instincts also shine through as he consistently identifies plays and contributes timely blocks with five on the season so far.
The sophomore’s standout performance came at home in a 95-67 win over North Carolina A&T, where he set a new career-high 13 points, shooting an impressive 83.3% from the field. Known for his ability to finish strong around the rim, Wessler is shooting 60.4% on the season.
The Hokies are currently coming off a 71-68 victory over ACC foe Cal and are gearing up to host NC State for this year’s White Effect game on Wednesday, Jan. 15th at 7 p.m. ET. This is the perfect opportunity to see “Big Pat” in action, so be sure to secure your tickets today!