When opportunity called, Aidan Whalen answered. The Cambridge, ON native has emerged as a cornerstone for the Laurier Golden Hawks in his final year of eligibility. The 6-foot-5 forward, who transferred from Fanshawe College (OCAA) in 2024, has taken on a significantly expanded role this season and he’s delivered in a big way.
Whalen is averaging 16.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 47.3 percent from the field and 37.1 percent from beyond the arc across 27 games. His scoring output represents a major leap from last season’s 9.9 points per game, reflecting both increased opportunity and growing confidence as a primary offensive option.
His consistency and leadership have been instrumental in guiding the Golden Hawks to the postseason, as they currently sit at 9–11 and have already clinched a playoff berth heading into the final weekend of the regular season, with seeding still up for grabs.
OB.SESSED caught up with Whalen to discuss Laurier's mindset heading into the playoffs, his reunion with assistant coach John Malnerich, and how he’s embraced an increased offensive role this season.
Here's what he had to say.
Before stepping into an expanded role at Laurier, Whalen’s growth was shaped by the foundation he built during his time at Fanshawe College.
“I loved my time at Fanshawe, had a really amazing time there, and we had some really good competitive teams.”
More than anything, his time as a Falcon forced Whalen to look inward.
“Biggest takeaway from the OCAA, you really need to find that inner motivation.”
That lesson became even more apparent once he made the jump to U SPORTS and saw the contrast firsthand.
“The biggest difference is that there's a lot less resources and support there. Whereas Laurier, we have our full-time staff, strength coaches, a bunch of extra coaches and stuff, helping you get extra work in.”
While the resources at Laurier stood out, it was a familiar face that ultimately drew Whalen to the program. John Malnerich, his former high school coach at St. Benedict’s in Cambridge and now an assistant at Laurier, had been a mentor throughout his basketball journey.
“100%, yeah. John is a big reason why I chose to come to Laurier after Fanshawe.”
Their relationship goes back to Whalen’s earliest days on the court.
“We've been in contact my whole career since I left Benny's. His coaching at Benny's and the basketball community built there is a massive reason why I ended up playing basketball in the first place.”
Even as he finished up at Fanshawe, Malnerich remained a guiding presence, checking in regularly and encouraging Whalen to envision the next step in his journey.
“When I was finishing up at Fanshawe, he was calling me, checking in the whole time, and we kind of discussed how awesome it would be to come back, and play in front of my hometown, and reunite back with him for my last couple of years.”
That guidance set the stage for Whalen’s breakout season at Laurier this year.
“Honestly, just the preparation met the opportunity this year.”
He credits his willingness to embrace any role for allowing him to thrive.
“I've always been a guy that's willing to play a role and do whatever it takes to help the team win. Whether that be more in a secondary scoring role like last year or how I was at Fanshawe. This year I needed to take a bigger role offensively.”
As the regular season comes to a close, and the postseason approaches, Whalen’s faith in this group is high.
“Yeah, definitely really excited about going to the postseason. We know when we play the right way and play hard we can beat anybody.”
It’s a mentality rooted in resilience and belief, one that the team has carried all season.
“It's an underdog mentality for sure, knowing that we are considered the underdogs, but that comes with a huge belief within our group that we can make a real run this year.”
Even as the focus turns to playoffs, Whalen can’t help but reflect on the weekend ahead: his senior night, a moment to celebrate his journey and the memories he’s made along the way.
“Yeah, with my senior night coming up all the memories from high school, college, university, they're all kind of flooding in.”
The emotions of the moment go beyond statistics and wins, it’s about the relationships he’s built along the way.
“It's definitely gonna be an emotional game for me, but what stands out most is the brothers I've gained along the way.”
Those bonds have been a constant throughout his journey, from Fanshawe to Laurier.
“The game has given me some of my best friends, and I'm especially grateful for my guy, Joshua Loblaw, he’s been with me for basically my whole journey. A lot of great memories there. He was teammates with me at Fanshawe, and we came to Laurier together. I owe a lot to him.”
With his collegiate career soon behind him, Whalen’s ambitions remain high.
“After my run here at Laurier, I'm hopeful to find an opportunity to play again next year, somewhere overseas.”
Wherever the game takes him, basketball will always remain central to his life.
“I wanna be playing in some capacity until I'm not able to anymore, and I think being involved in the game will definitely be a priority for me, whether it's playing, coaching or whatever it is that comes up. Basketball will definitely always be a big part of my life.”
As Whalen prepares for his final games at Laurier, the story of his growth—from a motivated player at Fanshawe to a cornerstone of the Golden Hawks—comes full circle. It’s been a journey defined by preparation and the relationships he’s built along the way. Whether that's taking on a larger offensive role, leaning on the guidance of mentors like John Malnerich, or cherishing the bonds formed with teammates, Whalen’s impact on and off the court is undeniable.
With senior night on the horizon and the postseason looming, he looks ahead with the same drive that has carried him this far, knowing that basketball will continue to be a central part of his life, in whatever form it takes next. For Whalen, the game isn’t just about points and rebounds, it’s about growth, and brotherhood. And as he takes the court one last time for Laurier, it’s clear that the memories and friendships he’s forged will last a lifetime.