U of C standout Noah Wharton to tip-off professional career with Calgary Surge

Noah Wharton won't have to go far for a home-court advantage next season. He'll only be heading a few short kilometres from where he hooped the last four years.

The 6-foot, sharp-shooting guard was taken in the third round of this year's Canadian Elite Basketball league (CEBL) draft on Thursday by the Calgary Surge.

Wharton was one half of the University of Calgary's starting backcourt for most of his collegiate career. He averaged 15.1 points, 3.7 assists and 2.9 rebounds during the 17 games he started in his final season.

"Being a professional basketball player has always been a dream of mine," he said. 

"Having the opportunity to start off my professional career with the Surge is something I'm very excited about and grateful for."

The Surge had a total of three picks during Thursday's draft, taking guards each round. With their first and second choices respectively, the team took St. Francis Xavier University's Dondre Reddick and McMaster University's Mike Demagus before wrapping up with Wharton.

Thursday's draft came after a memorable first season for the Calgary-based ball team, where they made it to the championship game only to fall a few buckets short of a title against the Scarborough Shooting Stars.

The team came into existence after the CEBL announced the relocation of the Guelph Nighthawks from the southwestern Ontario city in 2023.

"When we launched the team, we dreamed of being able to draft a player that had close ties to our city," said Jason Ribeiro, vice-chairman and president of the Calgary Surge.

"To have the first come from mine and so many of our staff's alma mater at the University of Calgary is truly special."

The other half of the Dinos backcourt duo, Nate Petrone, is also bound for the league, but he'll be heading north and starting his pro career with the Edmonton Stingers.

Wharton and Petrone, now former teammates, will soon face each other when the Surge and cross-province rival Edmonton Stingers go head-to-head at the Saddledome on May 21 to tip-off the home team's second season in the league.