Patterson is Kentucky's big man

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- The flash came, however briefly, the moment doctors told Patrick Patterson of Huntington his freshman season at Kentucky was over.

For a split second Patterson's dreams of leading the Wildcats back to national prominence, a potential career in the NBA, even the ability to simply play painfree, seemed very much in doubt as doctors described the surgery necessary to repair the stress fracture in his left ankle.

"When I first got hurt, I thought I wasn't going to be able to play again," Patterson said. "There was a chance the surgery could go wrong or that I'd have to get another one or I wasn't going to be able to do certain things I was able to do last year."

Six long and sometimes agonizing months of rehab and reflection later, Patterson just laughs at the nerves. Call it part of growing up.

"I think it's just natural, you're going to think like that," he said. "Now I see that I might be a little rusty, but I know I'm going to be OK."

Besides, in its own strange way, maybe the injury was a blessing for the Southeastern Conference's Co-Freshman of the Year. Getting hurt meant he didn't have to spend the weeks following the season weighing whether to stay in school or jump to the NBA.

The temptation certainly would have been there after a breakout year in which he averaged 16.4 points and 7.7 rebounds per game that helped him become Southeastern Conference Co-Rookie of the Year.

Instead, the ankle made the decision for him.

"Everything happens for a reason," he said. "Obviously it wasn't my time to go to the NBA. It's not my time yet. That's every basketball player's dream but I'm just concentrating on this year."

So are the Wildcats, who are looking to take another step forward under second-year coach Billy Gillispie. Kentucky proved it could survive last season after their freshman star went down in late February.

The Wildcats knocked off rival Florida and advanced to the NCAA tournament for the 17th straight year even with their only proven post player standing on the sidelines wearing a protective boot on his left foot.

The injury helped give Patterson perspective and his teammates confidence. Forward Perry Stevenson stepped into his own in Patterson's absence, and Patterson learned cues from seniors Joe Crawford and Ramel Bradley on how to lead.

Patterson and junior guard Jodie Meeks became roommates over the summer -- Patterson brought the 32-inch flat screen TV -- and have eagerly inherited the leadership roles left by Bradley and Crawford's departure.

"Joe and Ramel last year, they were the returners, they were the seniors and they knew what to do and they led us throughout the entire season," Patterson said. "That's what me and Jodie and the returners want to do."

In practice, leading means taking command during drills. Outside, it means doing what he can to create a little chemistry. Patterson and several teammates are in the midst of a contest to see who can grow the biggest Afro. Patterson is in the early lead, with about three inches of hair sticking from the top of his 6-foot-8 frame.

"We all just got our little secrets," he said. "We're just trying to see who is going to cut it first. As long as we keep our faces clean, I think coach will be fine with it."

Yet suggest to Patterson that he's become the face of the program regardless of his hair style and he doesn't exactly embrace the idea.

"I don't really see it like that, if anybody is the face of Kentucky, it's probably Gillispie or the president, the dean," he said. "As far as basketball, we're just a team. We can't win it with one person."

Maybe, but too often last year Patterson found himself playing all by his lonesome in the post. He averaged a grueling 35.4 minutes a game, a number that even Gillispie admits may have been a little too high.

Of course, that didn't stop Gillispie from playing Patterson for 31 minutes in an easy exhibition win over Missouri-St. Louis on Nov. 3. Not that Patterson is complaining. After waiting so long to get back on the floor, don't expect him to raise his hand asking for a blow anytime soon.

"I spent plenty of time watching last year, I don't need to do that again," he said.

What he'd like to do is expand his game away from the basket. He knows 6-8 guys better have a jumper to make it in the NBA, and the development of Stevenson and the addition of 6-10 transfer Josh Harrellson means Patterson won't have to do all the dirty work in the lane.

"I think he will be able to be more versatile this year," Gillispie said. "I want him to try to be the best player in college basketball. He has a lot of components that give him a chance to have a fantastic year and he's going to try to do that."

If Patterson somehow fulfills his coach's high expectations, Gillispie knows the NBA may be too good to pass up. That's fine by Gillispie, and Patterson too.

"One way or the other, I do hope that it'll be an easy decision whether I want to stay or whether I want to leave," he said. "That's how we all really feel. But this year all the way up to the end of the season, my No. 1 goal is to win a championship."