Now that the 2009-2010 basketball season is officially over, several members of the UK basketball team have decisions to make about their basketball future. Today we look at the decision ahead for Patrick Patterson.
Perhaps no player has meant more to the UK basketball program than Patrick Patterson and perhaps no player has embraced his role on being a Wildcat more than Patterson. In his three seasons in Lexington, Patrick has left a legacy behind him and he ranks as the 13th leading scorer (1564) and the 13th leading rebounder (791) in school history. Patterson is also in the top 10 in career FG percentage (6th) and blocked shots (7th).
Last season, Patrick made the season to test his worth in the NBA Draft, nut to the shock of many, he returned for his junior season at Kentucky. During the offseason, Patrick prepared for the NBA by training with the infamous “Hell’s Trainer” out in California, which is usually the precursor to a player departing college for his NBA career. During this season, Patterson re-invented his game and added an outside presence to his game and as a result has worked himself into the NBA lottery.
The question remains: Will Patterson return for his senior season, or will he depart for the NBA? This is his decision to make.
Unfortunately, I would have to say that all signs point to Patterson making himself eligible for the NBA Draft once again and leaving Kentucky. His draft stock has never been higher and it just feels like Patrick is ready for the NBA. I know there have been reports that his decision is not made up, and if any player of Wall, Patterson, and Cousins are thinking about staying at UK for sheer loyalty, it would be Patrick.
Another option that may push Patrick to leave is the possibility of the upcoming labor lockout in the NBA in 2011. If Patrick did return for his senior season, he would get drafted in 2011 but then due to a possible lockout, he could be in limbo for several months until the labor situation gets sorted. This would include months of possibly sitting and waiting with no pay. If Patrick leaves now, the rookie salary cap will never be higher, and he will have a year of NBA experience (and pay) under his belt when the lockout hit.
And what does Patrick gain by returning? He could cement his status as one of the most popular Wildcats of all time, although to be honest, he is already there. He could make a run at the UK history books and crack the top five of both points and rebounds and make a run for that elusive final four. Unfortunately, you get the feeling that Patterson returning would be part of an “all for one” situation where Cousins and Wall would need to return as well to make that Final Four campaign.
In the end, Patrick accomplished most of the things he looked to accomplish by returning last year, sans that Final Four. He got a good assessment from the NBA what he needed to improve on and by all accounts, succeeded in making himself a more viable NBA prospect. I hate to say it but I think that Patrick’s decision has been made since after the SEC Tournament and there is less of a 15% chance Patrick returns to UK.
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