Welch was promoted to the varsity team at Cheektowaga Central High School in eighth grade, leading them to their first-ever Section VI championship.[2] Following his senior campaign in 2017, he was named Buffalo News Player of the Year.[3] He set the all-time record for scoring in Western New York, accumulating 2,376 points in his high school career.[4]
Welch spent a year at SPIRE Institute in Geneva, Ohio, leading his prep school team to a 24–8 record.[4] After a run in the national playoffs, he was named Power-5 Prep Conference Player of the Year.[4]
Collegiate career
Welch committed to St. Bonaventure University in April 2018.[5] He played in 110 games over four seasons, and was named team captain.[1] In his senior season, he was awarded 2022 NIT All-Tournament honors after leading his team to the semifinals.[6]
After graduating from St. Bonaventure with a degree in video production, Welch entered the transfer portal and was signed by the University of Alabama as a graduate student in May 2022.[7] Following the 2022 Buffalo shooting, Welch insisted on changing his jersey number from #1 to #10 in honor of the ten victims who lost their lives.[8]
His 2022–23 season with Alabama was plagued by injuries, but he saw action in 20 games.[1]
Professional career
Welch went undrafted in the 2023 NBA draft, and started his professional career by signing with UBSC Graz in August 2023.[9]