Life in the world of professional basketball is tough. In a sport where less than 1% make it, the trials and tribulations can become too much for many of the hopefuls…but not for Jordan Whelan.
The Manchester native has travelled the world in recent years on a quest to fulfil his basketball dream. From playing college ball in the United States, to turning pro in Germany and most recently returning to home to represent both the Worcester Wolves and his hometown Manchester Giants.
The Capital Was Calling
With Jordan’s story seemingly coming full circle, he opted to write a new chapter back in autumn as he left the Wolves in search of a new challenge. A search that would lead him to East London.
Whelan spoke to Rising East about what inspired his move and how he’s finding his first season in the capital.
“I really just wanted to grow, to grow as a player,” he said. “I decided to make my main move (joining the Lions) because I knew I could learn off guys like Justin Robinson and Coach Vince, that’s what really motivated me.”
Last season’s BBL champions boast a two-time league MVP in Robinson and reigning BBL coach of the year in Macaulay. Combining this with a roster full of veterans and players who have been capped at international made East London the perfect place for Whelan to continue his development.
A Warm Welcome For Whelan
The entire season will be a learning experience for the Manchester native as he hopes to cement his place among the many established players that currently represent Macaulay’s side. Fortunately, Jordan’s relationship with the Lions Head Coach has helped him ease into his new surroundings.
“It’s been good! (Jordan’s start to the season) You know, I’ve been Vince a few times before and I kind of know his style of play and brought me in specifically for that. That’s helped a lot and I’ve settled in really well.”
It’s clear that Whelan knows what his Coach has to bring but his new teammates have been helping him get up to speed with things on the court.
“There are some guys that have been here for a long time and they’ve made fitting in really easy. They’ve eased me into the system and helped me with learning the plays, so it’s been a really smooth transition into the team.”
A Baptism Of Fire
Despite now having two seasons of BBL experience, the gulf in play styles between the Worcester Wolves and the Lions couldn’t be more different, as Jordan found out this season. Coach Macaulay described Whelan as ‘A very willing learner’ and this quality was put to the test during the guard’s transition into Lions Basketball.
“The biggest change (since leaving the Wolves),” Jordan says “is just the speed in which we play at. I know Coach Vince emphasizes that he wants us pressing the ball, full court and then running the floor as well. It’s about non-stop effort. So, I think that’s been the biggest change for me…also the chemistry, just having a team that sticks together at all times.”
As Whelan highlighted, team chemistry has been at the heart of previously successful Lions teams. However, maintaining this on-court chemistry this will be twice as tough for Jordan as he faces the monumental task of representing both the Lions and the University of East London first team simultaneously.
As if being a professional basketball player wasn’t enough, Whelan is combining all of the responsibilities of a fulltime student athlete with being a BBL player. From 9am lectures, to afternoon BUCS matchups and then suiting up for the Lions on weeknights and weekends, the life of a pro doesn’t get much tougher than this. Jordan gave RI an insight into how he’s balancing all of these commitments.
“Yeah (Jordan Laughs) it’s tough. I’m kind of just getting it in, getting the work in whenever I can find sometime. Its busy man…My Mondays to Wednesdays are preparing for games with uni and then preparing for Lions games, you know sometimes double header weekend with games on Friday and Sunday, it’s real tough.”
The Grind Doesn’t Stop Once The Buzzer Sounds
Playing for two teams not only brings double the workload but also a variation in the kinds of challenges that Whelan has to face, challenging him both mentally as well as physically. To put it simply, there are very few other pro players have to worry about getting an assignment turned in the day before a BBL game.
His ability to cope with deadlines while simultaneously improving on the court is a testament to Whelan’s time management and commitment. With days off coming few and far between, Jordan shared his emphasis on making time to focus on his psychical and mental health.
“Physically, my focus is just getting my body recovered. Mentally being ready to get some papers and things like that done is such a challenge. In all my down time and I’m kind of just making sure I’m relaxed, eating well, looking after my body and just getting myself recovered.”
Never Satisfied With ‘Just Good Enough’
So why would a successful professional, who’s played all over the world choose to take on so much extra work and commit to a dual playing career whilst also studying a higher education?
Simply. Because for Jordan Whelan, it’s all about getting better, any way he can.
“Obviously, I came here to grow as a player. I want to see a difference in my game. I want to become a smarter basketball player. I want to become a more efficient basketball player over the season, so those are my main goals for this year. Hopefully between learning through the Lions games and getting to do a lot more with the UEL team, it will help me to do that.”
With drive like this, it’s clear why Whelan has seen increasing minutes from his coaches as the seasons progressed. Jordan identified his relationship with Coach Macaulay as a big reason for him coming to the Capital.
The Lions suffered big departures over the summer, losing three starters from their BBL winning side. With big shoes to fill, Macaulay turned to youth, bringing in the likes of Whelan to come in and contribute off the bench. Macaulay saw something in the Manchester native and shared his thoughts on why he wanted Whelan to become a Lion.
“Jordan Whelan is a guy I’ve always liked. I loved his aggression. Every time I saw him at Worcester and at Manchester he always looked so aggressive and I thought it he could just be taught a little bit better decision making and a little bit more patient, he’ll become incredibly effective that’s what we want to do with him here.”
Despite a few growing pains early on, Macaulay stuck with his new signings and has seen the team flourish in recent months. It’s become clear to anyone watching that Whelan and the other young Lions are learning the system, learning what it means to play London Lions basketball. This statement was echoed by Macaulay when speaking about the improvements in Jordan’s game.
“He’s a very willing learner, he wants to learn. He’s a tough defender. I think just getting him to be a bit more patient, to pick him time when he wants to attack, pick his time when he wants to shoot the ball and I think that this season we can all see he’s come on leaps and bounds.”
Statements like this have been shared between coaches, teammates and fans alike. It’s clear that Jordan Whelan has a bright future in East London. But what’s next for Whelan?
Becoming a starter? A BBL All-Star? A Team GB International? When asked about what he wants from his time with the Lions Whelan kept it as honest as ever.
“To win Championships.”
