Patrick Whelan (195-G-1996, college: William Jewell) is a 28 year old 195cm guard from Great Britain playing his second season with the Caledonia Gladiators. He played with the Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders (BBL) from 2021-2013 averaging 15.0ppg, 4.4rpg, 2.5apg, FGP: 60.3%, 3PT-3 (47.9%), FT: 89.5% and 12.9ppg, 4.6rpg, 2.8apg, FGP: 45.2%, 3PT: 43.3%, FT: 83.8%. He played with Real Murcia Baloncesto (Spain-LEB Silver) from 2018-2021 averaging 10.6ppg, 3.2rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 48.5%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 81.3%, 9.6ppg, 2.6rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 43.2%, 3PT: 29.9%, FT: 86.1% and 4.3ppg, 1.7rpg. He ebgan his basketball career with the Manchester Magic and then played at William Jewell College (NCAA2) from 2014-2018 averaging 6.3ppg, 2.3rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 38.8%, 3PT: 34.8%, FT: 58.3%, 14.2ppg, 3.7rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 42.2%, 3PT: 36.2%, FT: 79.2%, 21.3ppg, 4.6rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 54.3%, 3PT: 44.8%, FT: 77.9%, and 17.9ppg, 5.2rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 43.7%, 3PT: 37.6%, FT: 75.2%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Fiba Europe Cup game against the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg.

Thanks Patrick for talking to germanhoops.com. Yourplaying your second season for the Caledonia Gladiators. Your playing Fiba Europe Cup against German team MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg. What do you know in general about the country and it´s basketball?

Thanks for having me, I know the German Bundesliga is one of the best leagues in Europe at the moment. Obviously the German national teams is one of the best in the world having won Eurobasket in 2023 so I definitely respect the basketball played in Germany.

You began your career in Manchester but playing your second season for the Caledonia Gladiators (United Kingdom-SLB). Has Glasgow become like a second home for you?

Having played in a few different countries and places now I would like to think I have several second homes! But the fans, staff and owners of the clubs have definitely treated me well and I feel like I have friends here and know the city well.

What do you appreciate most about the Caledonia Gladiators (United Kingdom-SLB) organization? The club last won a title in 2023 with the cup. How big is the desire to win within this organization?

I appreciate the level of commitment from several staff members. There are many people working behind the scenes, probably more than they should be working to help us feel comfortable as players. The organization are focused on developing the club in a way that they can win in the long term and as a British player I am very happy that they are focusing on developing British talent to help them win.

The club has good scoring power. What is your main role in the team? You log many minutes and fill up the stat sheet..

For sure, I see my role as being an all around player for this team both scoring and setting up my teammates. The team is younger this year also so I try to help the guys during games and practice to be effective in the leagues we are playing in.

What has it been like being teammates with veteran Trevond Barnes. He seems to have that mentor duty for some guys.

Trevond is definitely an experienced player and I’m very happy he is getting the chance to play at the level we’re playing at as he’s been through a lot already in his career. He brings energy every game and practice and definitely knows how to play basketball the right way.

What has it been like sharing back court duties with Americans Isaiah Hill and Ian DuBose. What do you appreciate most about their games?

Isaiah and Ian are both guys with high ambitions, I expect them both to have great careers. It’s been great so far obviously having played one season already with Ian I think we have good chemistry on the court. And Isaiah is a guy who’s really easy to play alongside. I’m looking forward to helping those guys run the show along with Kyle Jimenez at point guard too.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 196cm guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

As a team we speak about NBA comparisons a lot. One guy who has come up in the past is Jamaal Murray. I think the comparison here is a versatile player who can score in many different ways.

You’re a player that can fill the stat sheet with ease. Did you always have that versatility in you or did you learn some of that at William Jewel University (NCAA2)?

I definitely owe a lot of my success to William Jewell. I’m not sure many colleges would have given me the chance they gave me to play so many minutes and make so many mistakes as a freshman. They definitely helped me to be the player I am today.

You’re a great shooter that has reached the 40% plateau and better in different leagues. Would you call yourself an elite shooter at the moment or still trying to get there?

I’m always trying to improve my shooting ability. I think there’s always room for improvement but I feel like I’m moving in the right direction. I don’t think it’s for me to say if I’m elite or not but if I’m not then hopefully I can reach that status.

You have always been a feisty defender. How would you describe your defensive game as of now and what kind of a defender do you still want to become?

Having played for many different teams I think my main strength is that I understand a lot of different concepts. I think I can take more risks defensively but I would like to be a guy who is consistently solid and can work in many team concepts.

On what areas of your game are you working on most so you can continue to improve your game?

Offensively I’ve been working the past few years on ball handling so I can improve as a playmaker and a combo guard. I will continue to work on that and defensively I would like to be more versatile so I can guard different positions.

You played 2 summers in the up and coming CEBL league with Niagara and Ottawa. What kind of an experience was that for you and what positives could you get out of it?

I really enjoy playing in the CEBL. It’s a different type of league and they play a different style of basketball for the most part than we do in Europe. The main thing for me is how they treat player development, for example when I played in Niagara the assistant coaches would put me through a workout whenever I wanted. I also met some really good people who I would consider as good friends.

You played 2 seasons with Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders (BBL) averaging 15.0ppg, 4.4rpg, 2.5apg, FGP: 60.3%, 3PT-3 (47.9%), FT: 89.5%; and 12.9ppg, 4.6rpg, 2.8apg, FGP: 45.2%, 3PT: 43.3%, FT: 83.8%. In your first season you won the double. What was so special about that squad?

That squad was probably one of, if not the most, complete squads I have been on. Obviously our point guard Geno Crandall was an incredibly skilled player but there were players at every position who could have a big night like Zach Jackson and Marc Loving. Then having players like Kimbal Mackenzie and Jubril Adekoya come from the bench meant that teams really had a hard time even if the starters weren’t having their best day.

You had a huge game against Plymouth in the playoffs and beat London in the finals. What was your fondest moment in the playoffs?

Obviously lifting the trophy was special, but throughout that run there were a couple times we faced adversity. Watching guys like Conner Washington step up in the final when we were struggling was really cool.

You played your first 3 pro seasons with Real Murcia Baloncesto and helped them move up to Leb Gold in 2020. How vital was these 3 years in Spain for your basketball development?

These were probably the most important years of my career so far. I learned how to play structured basketball for the first time in my career. But I also learned how important the mental side of the game is too. It wasn’t always easy but I think the hard years are where you learn the most.

You played 2 seasons with Americans Andre Norris and Clint Robinson. Did they become like brothers for you?

Those guys along with Jeff Solarin are definitely like brothers to me. We all lived together and we still share a group chat today where we mostly just send stupid videos to each other!

In your second season you beat FC Barcelona twice. The second game was won 63-61. They had some of the world´s best talents. What memories do you have of those games?

For sure, I remember playing against players like Leandro Bolmaro and knowing that they would be special players in the future.

You played at William Jewell University (NCAA2) from 2014-2018. Was it a tough choice to make? Do you sometimes think where your career may have went without that experience in the States?

It wasn’t really a tough choice, I knew it was an experience I always had worked for since I was young. Leaving University without any debt isn’t normal in the UK so having a chance to do that was important to me and my family. I also met my wife there so I definitely don’t regret that decision at all.

What kind of a player were you in 2014 and 2018 when you returned back to England?

My skill level changed a lot in that time. I wasn’t the best 1v1 player until after college. I also had the chance to work consistently in the weight room for the first time in my life so I came back much stronger.

You had some huge games including scoring 31 points a piece against St Joseph, In and Marville, MO. What was your fondest moment on the court there?

There were some great games and very special nights but my fondest memory is getting to share the court with Pharroh Gordon again as he is someone I regard as a brother.

How did head coach Larry Holley groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Holley was very experienced and the main thing I took from him was to enjoy every day you get to be on the court. I never saw him have a bad day and he always brought a positive energy to any room he was in. He’s someone I miss very much may he rest in peace.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Pharroh Gordon?

We definitely had some battles in practice but Pharroh was probably better 1v1 because he’s one of the best defenders I have seen to this day.

You have played many years with the British national team. How is the state of basketball in England? Ate there some talents on the horizon?

There are many talents coming through especially as of the last few years. The guys I have shared the court with like Quinn Ellis, Dan Akin, Jubrile Belo, Kaiyem Cleary and many more give me faith that the future is bright for British Basketball.

What kind of an experience has it been being teammates with Myles Hesson? How much of a role model has he been for you and others? He sort of paved the way for guys coming to Germany from England in 2012?

Myles is a true professional and it’s no accident that he’s had the career that he has. He’s a great veteran to have on the national team and someone we all look towards to lead us. I’m sure his career has definitely helped to put British basketball on the map.

Who was the best player that you battled in your career that went to the NBA?

When I played for England U18s against Lithuania we played against Domantas Sabonis. He was definitely on a different level to any player I had played against back then.

Who were your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Kingsley Nwagboso

Pharroh Gordon

Joe Swindells

Aaron Menzies

Jordan Whelan

It’s a tough choice but I grew up with these guys so they are family to me.

What is your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Michael Jordan

LeBron James

Kobe Bryant

Steph Curry

Who is your GOAT?

Kobe is the guy who really made me love basketball so I’ll go with him.

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

I haven’t but I loved the original so that makes sense!