Virginia Tech’s talented player has officially entered the transfer portal, and announced his decision on Monday. With two years of eligibility remaining, he becomes the third Hokies player to enter the portal that day, following guards Jaydon Young and Rodney Brown Jr.
He spent three seasons in Blacksburg, redshirting during the 2022–23 campaign before making 13 appearances last season. This year, he played in 31 of Virginia Tech’s 32 games, earning one start against Louisville. The seven-foot, 250-pound center contributed 3.9 points and 2.9 rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 62.5% (50 of 80) from the field.
His impact was felt most in the latter part of the season, particularly after starting forward Mylyjael Poteat suffered an injury against Miami on Feb. 22. Wessler stepped up in crucial moments, logging meaningful minutes against Miami, Louisville, Syracuse, North Carolina, and Clemson. During this stretch, he elevated his performance, averaging 7.4 points and 4.0 rebounds per game while shooting an outstanding 81.8% (18-of-22). He also tallied four blocked shots, showcasing his defensive presence.
One of Patrick Wessler’s standout plays came in Virginia Tech’s regular-season finale at Clemson’s Littlejohn Coliseum. Facing All-ACC Honorable Mention center Viktor Lakhin, Wessler executed a smooth right-handed hook shot over the 6-foot-11 big man. He finished that game a perfect 3-for-3 from the floor, adding five rebounds and two blocks.
A native of Matthews, N.C., Wessler led the Hokies in effective field goal percentage (63.1%), according to analytics guru Ken Pomeroy. His efficiency edged out teammate Tobi Lawal, whose 60.9% ranking placed him 70th nationally. However, their playing time differed significantly.
Virginia Tech’s head coach, Mike Young, was candid following the team’s ACC Tournament loss to Cal last week, acknowledging the team’s shortcomings. “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,” Young stated. Monday’s exodus of Brown Jr., Young, and Wessler signals what could be the beginning of a significant roster overhaul as the transfer portal officially opens on March 24.
As of now, the Hokies’ frontcourt consists of redshirt freshman Ryan Jones Jr., a former top-75 recruit who medically redshirted this season, and four-star incoming freshman Christian Gurdak. With Wessler’s departure, Virginia Tech will likely look to add reinforcements in the portal to bolster their frontcourt depth.
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