HUNTINGTON — Patrick Patterson is about to become Huntington’s third NBA player.

Patterson, who left the University of Kentucky after graduating in three years, played at Huntington High with O.J. Mayo of the Memphis Grizzlies. Bill Walker of the New York Knicks also played at HHS before finishing at a Cincinnati high school.

The 6-foot-9, 240-pound forward was one of 15 players — including UK teammates John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins — to be in the “Green Room” staging area for Thursday’s draft in the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Those players are anticipated to be among the top 20 selections.

Patterson, 21, had pre-draft workouts with numerous teams including Memphis, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons.

He averaged 14.3 points and 7.4 rebounds last season.

“Patterson reminds us of guys like Carl Landry, DeJuan Blair and Jason Thompson, and could end up being a double-double machine,” NBC Sports reported.

It wouldn’t be too surprising to see Patterson reunited with Mayo on the Grizzlies, who need to add depth to a thin bench, and he is a reliable and versatile big guy who can contribute immediately, a report by The Sporting News said.

The Grizzlies have three first-round picks.

NBADraft.net said Patterson was considered the third wheel on a Kentucky team led by Wall and Cousins but “was the stabilizing force behind the Wildcats.”

NBA.com listed Patterson as the No. 6 power forward available among draft prospects who are most ready to play.

If Patterson goes in the first round as expected, he could be part of a record-setting draft for the Kentucky Wildcats.

Wall and Cousins should be taken early, followed by Patterson and possibly Daniel Orton and Eric Bledsoe. The Associated Press reported that no college team has produced more than four first-rounders in a single draft.

PATRICK PATTERSON
University of Kentucky
6-9 1/2, 240 pounds
Age: 21

NBA.com Consensus Mock Draft
DraftExpress.com — No. 13, Toronto
Sports Illustrated — No. 12, Memphis
Yahoo! — No. 16, Minnesota
InsideHoops.com — No. 8, L.A. Clippers
NBADraft.net — No. 12, Memphis
NBC Sports — No. 20, San Antonio
RealGM.com — No. 15, Milwaukee
HoopsWorld.com — No. 14, Houston
Pro Basketball News — No. 23, Minnesota
The Sportin News — No. 12, Memphis
The Hoops Report — No. 13, Toronto

 

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