You could hear the excitement in his voice as George Patsalos talked about moving into his apartment at Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tennessee, on Tuesday.
After a year away from the game, it’s good to be back on campus. Patsalos and star guard Marquis Gill have both transferred to Christian Brothers, a Division II school, from SUNY Orange on basketball scholarships.
“I am glad to wake up and have another opportunity in life,” said Patsalos, a Newburgh Free Academy graduate. “I was able to go somewhere and play, and that is a blessing. I feel I had to take a step back to take two steps forward.”
Patsalos, a 6-foot-7 forward, experienced move-in day last year at the University of New Haven. However, he quickly figured out it wasn’t a good fit for him and returned home. He worked out and spent time around the SUNY Orange team. Patsalos was a standout for the Colts the previous two seasons, averaging 16 points and 11 rebounds as a sophomore in 2023-24.
SUNY Orange men’s basketball coach Tom Rickard said that Christian Brothers coach John T. Reilly was previously interested in Patsalos when he saw him play in the National Junior College Athletic Association tournament as a freshman. Rickard was able to reconnect Reilly with Patsalos, and Gill was also a great pick-up for Christian Brothers.
Gill averaged 18 points last season to lead SUNY Orange to the Region XV championship. He scored 1,013 points and is the school’s all-time leader in 3-pointers (193).
Patsalos is living with Gill and another former SUNY Orange player, Danny Lans, in Memphis.
“I’m thrilled for George, Rickard said. “He is just a great kid, and he was able to stick it out. Some kids leave school, and they never finish. This is a great opportunity, and I know that Coach Reilly believes in him. George and Marquis will do great at Christian Brothers.”