RileyWelch

2020-21

Senior: Southeastern Conference Winter Academic Honor Roll member … Expected to graduate in May with a degree in liberal studies … Participated in the 2020 SEC Career Tour … Saw action in three games and made one start in 2020-21 … Logged three minutes and induced a steal in UK’s dominating victory over South Carolina to conclude the regular season … Started and played three minutes on Senior Day against Florida … Registered a defensive rebound vs. the Gators … Played one minute of Kentucky’s season-opening win over Morehead State. 

2019-20

Junior: Saw action in four games during his first season with the Wildcats … Made his UK debut in the win over Eastern Kentucky … Logged two steals, one each against EKU and Lamar.

2018-19 (College of the Desert)

Sophomore: Saw action in 27 games … Averaged 8.2 points per game for the Roadrunners … Also contributed 5.0 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game … Dished out a team-high 134 assists … Sunk 31 shots from behind the arc … Scored a career-high 29 points vs. San Jacinto on Feb. 1 on 9-of-11 shooting and 10 of 11 from the free-throw line … Recorded 19 points vs. West LA on Nov. 2 … Twice tabbed to the College of the Desert Dean’s List.

2017-18 (UC Irvine)

Freshman: Appeared in 27 games as a true freshman … Played double-digit minutes four times … Scored five points in his collegiate debut at Denver … Dished out four assists and hit a three against Chapman …  Had three assists in six minutes at Montana … Snared four boards to couple with two points vs. UC Riverside … Two-time Dean’s List honoree.

HIGH SCHOOL

Played for Chatfield High School … 2016 Chauncey Billups regional champion … School reached the Colorado High School Activities Association Final Four in 2016 … Three-time league champion … Two-time Jefferson County All-Conference … 2014 Adidas Unrivaled assist leader … Finalist in the 2013 USA U-18 3×3 Tournament … Academic All State performer in 2016 … Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

PERSONAL

Born Sept. 26 in Fresno, California … Parents are John and Jean Welch … Has a sister, Haley … Major is bachelor of liberal studies … Father played basketball at UNLV and has served as a coach in the NBA for more than 15 years  … Grandfather Coley was the third-ranked boxing middleweight in the world in 1941 … Vegetarian … Enjoys relaxing on the beach when he’s not playing basketball … Chose No. 13 because it was Steve Nash’s number … Proudest moment as a basketball player was suiting up for UC Irvine for his first collegiate game.