Power Forward Has UF's Attention

[CatFanInTheBathtub]

Wide-shouldered, five-star basketball recruit Patrick Patterson has the body to play in the Southeastern Conference.

Whether it's at Kentucky, Florida or somewhere outside the SEC (http://gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?template=wiki&text=Southeastern_Conference ) remains to be seen.

Patterson, of Huntington, W.Va., put on an athletic display Friday night at the AAU senior (17-under) national championships at the Disney Sports Complex. Against an overmatched opponent, Patterson scored many of the points for the Boo Williams All-Stars in transition with some rim-shaking dunks.

Florida coaches have been watching the 6-foot-8, 234-pound forward for most of the week. So have coaches from Kentucky. The gallery for the game Friday night included Kentucky coach Tubby Smith, Florida assistant Donnie Jones and another renowned West Virginia basketball native - former Florida and current Miami Heat point guard Jason Williams.

After the game, Patterson listed Florida in his top five, with Kentucky, Wake Forest, North Carolina (http://gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?template=wiki&text=North_Carolina) and Virginia. Patterson said he hasn't planned any visits yet.

"I'd like to take a visit to Florida," Patterson said. "They've produced a lot of great players. I like coach (Billy) Donovan and like the system."

Patterson, a 2007 incoming recruit, said he's also good friends with Nick Calathes, the 6-5 standout point guard who committed to Florida's 2007 recruiting class last season.

"Nick is getting on me pretty good, telling me how much fun we'd have," Patterson said.

Donovan spoke at Patterson's high school (Huntington H.S.), last April, when Marshall University honored him for winning the national title with UF (http://gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?template=wiki&text=University_of_florida). Marshall is where Donovan began his career as a head coach in 1994, before moving on to Florida two years later.

"He talked a lot about Joakim Noah, Al Horford, Taurean Green, how the team is all one big family," Patterson said. "That was pretty cool."

Like Patterson, Florida is weighing its options and also appears to be scouting 6-8 forward J.J. Hickson of Marrieta, Ga., who, like Patterson, has expressed interest in both Kentucky and Florida.

Scout.com lists Patterson as the eighth-best power forward in the Class of 2007, and 22nd best player overall. Hickson is listed as the 10th-best power forward and 39th-best overall player.






http://gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060730/GATORS02/207300361/-1/sports

[CatFanInTheBathtub]

So it looks like though Tubby's been on him good, Billy pulled a pretty good move speaking at his high school. Of course the guy has to know that 4 of Florida's starters are gone after this year.

[Spanish Moss]

I am encouraged the Coach Smith is actually attending his summer games and making his presence known. That is a step forward in our recruiting and should pay off down the road.


I am not very confident we will get Patterson but I have not given up. It will be tough to beat out UNC and UF. I am not worried about Wake or UVA.

So we go down to the wire and who knows what may happen? We need him and we have a starting spot for him now.

[Spanish Moss]

Maybe we can sign Hickson if Patterson gets away.

[KennesawCat]

CatFanInTheBathtub wrote: Of course the guy has to know that 4 of Florida's starters are gone after this year.
That couldbe the case for us, too, if Morris and Crawford opt for the NBA after this year.

[WildcatDan]

Patterson, a 2007 incoming recruit, said he's also good friends with Nick Calathes, the 6-5 standout point guard who committed to Florida's 2007 recruiting class last season.

"Nick is getting on me pretty good, telling me how much fun we'd have," Patterson said.
That is never good.

[RCS]

Interesting that he doesn't list Duke in his top 5. I seriously doubt UNC has replaced Duke, they just started recruiting him a week ago and they already have like 12 PF/C for next year. I think UF and I thought Duke were the main rivals. If he has actually dropped Duke that is great news.

The good news is if it comes down to UF vs UK I think we have an excellent shot at JJ Hickson. If both these guys are down to UK and UF you have to think we each get one but neither gets both.

[gnvgator]

you got it right RCS. The word I am getting form the Orlando AAU tourney, is that UF will get either Hickson/Patterson with the other going to UK. Also looks like CHandler Parsons migth have earned his UF offer.

[CatFanInTheBathtub]

KennesawCat wrote: CatFanInTheBathtub wrote: Of course the guy has to know that 4 of Florida's starters are gone after this year.
That couldbe the case for us, too, if Morris and Crawford opt for the NBA after this year.
When I said this, I couldn't figure in my mind how Paterrson would think about this. Maybe the fact would be a negative given the departees are the ones who are part of this "one big family". Aside from that, I really don't think Mo or Joe will be leaving early. Morris has a promise to stick to and Joe won't be ready anyway.

[DCWildcat]

RCS wrote: Interesting that he doesn't list Duke in his top 5. I seriously doubt UNC has replaced Duke, they just started recruiting him a week ago and they already have like 12 PF/C for next year. I think UF and I thought Duke were the main rivals. If he has actually dropped Duke that is great news.

The good news is if it comes down to UF vs UK I think we have an excellent shot at JJ Hickson. If both these guys are down to UK and UF you have to think we each get one but neither gets both.

I was surprised at that too. He already announced that UK, Wake, UF, Dook, and possibly one more school would be getting visits. Don't know where UVA and UNC came from, or where Dook went.

[audacious1]

CatFanInTheBathtub wrote: So it looks like though Tubby's been on him good, Billy pulled a pretty good move speaking at his high school. Of course the guy has to know that 4 of Florida's starters are gone after this year.
But they've already signed 4 as well, so...:?

[KapitalCat]

Tubby has recruited this kid hard. I just hope he does not go to UF, it's not something Tubby needs.

[ukbob]

KapitalCat wrote: Tubby has recruited this kid hard. I just hope he does not go to UF, it's not something Tubby needs.

That is for sure. Closest thing to a "must" recruit in the Smith era, IMO. If not just talent , then perception of failure versus success.

Smith is visiting him on 9-11, right after the UF visit. This is the right thing to do and Tubby has pulled all of his aces out for this kid. If he loses him to anyone it will be a very tough blow for UK and for Smith, IMO.

Let's hope it doesn't come to that.

[DCWildcat]

ukbob wrote: KapitalCat wrote: Tubby has recruited this kid hard. I just hope he does not go to UF, it's not something Tubby needs.

That is for sure. Closest thing to a "must" recruit in the Smith era, IMO. If not just talent , then perception of failure versus success.

Smith is visiting him on 9-11, right after the UF visit. This is the right thing to do and Tubby has pulled all of his aces out for this kid. If he loses him to anyone it will be a very tough blow for UK and for Smith, IMO.

Let's hope it doesn't come to that.

I agree. Losing Patterson would mean losing a guy Tubby has been all over ever since the very beginning. The idea of that stings a lot worse than losing the Julian Vaughns and Dan Werners of the world, and even worse than the Brandan Wrights as well.

Still, winning him would mean beating out UF, Dook, UNC, and all the other big time schools that have tried to get involved with him, like UL, Illinois, and UConn. Beating them all out in a protracted recruiting battle would be very good for Tubby.