River Lions Sign Great Britain National Team Member Patrick Whelan
St. Catharines, ON – The Niagara River Lions announced today the signing of 6’5 guard, Patrick Whelan presented by YOUR Legal Services. The 26 year-old from Warrington, England will join the team for the 2023 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) campaign, filling the international roster spot that is required by the league. Whelan is currently finishing his second season with the Leicester Riders of the British BBL where he is averaging 13.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 44.8 in three point percentage in 30.9 minutes per game.
“I am extremely excited about adding Pat to our program,” said Head Coach and General Manager, Victor Raso. “A veteran with the Great Britain national team, Pat is a very skilled offensive player and an excellent shooter, but most importantly he impacts winning all different phases of the game and is a great teammate.”
Whelan spent four years at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri where he averaged 15 points, 2.1 assists and 3.9 rebounds from 2014 to 2018. He became the 15th player in the school’s history to reach the 1000-point milestone prior to his senior season, leaving the program as one of the best players to ever wear the Cardinal uniform. In 2017, Whelan earned GLVC (Great Lakes Valley Conference) All-Second Team and GLVC All- Defensive team. During this senior year he earned GLVC All-First Team after ranking fourth in the conference in points per game (18.2).
After graduating, Whelan returned to Europe where he played three seasons for Real Murica CB of the Spanish LEB before signing with the Leicester Riders in 2021. Whelan made an immediate impact for the Riders averaging 15 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 47.9 in three-point percentage going on to earn British BBL All-First Team honours and being crowned the 2022 BBL Champions.
Whelan also brings National Team experience having suited up for the Great Britain team during the first and second window of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.
“I’m incredibly excited to play for the Niagara River Lions,” said Whelan. “I’ve heard very good things about the club and the CEBL as a whole. The goal for me is to contribute to winning games in any way that I can, and hopefully help the team have a successful season.”
Whelan becomes the eighth player added to the River Lions roster ahead of the 2023 season set tip-off for the team on May 26th when they visit the Montreal Alliance.
The Niagara River Lions are one of the original six teams of the CEBL. Playing out of Meridian Centre in downtown St. Catharines, the River Lions represent the twelve municipalities of the Niagara Region while living up to the River Lions moniker of pride and strength of community. Season tickets, voucher packs, group tickets and single game tickets are on sale now. Visit www.riverlions.ca/tickets for more information.
Media Contact:
Michelle Biskup – mbiskup@riverlions.ca
Vice President, Operations