Patterson, Gillispie talk NBA

 Star big man Patrick Patterson and UK Coach Billy Gillispie have discussed the player’s possible entry into next year’s NBA draft.

“We’ve talked several times already,” Gillispie said at a Thursday news conference. “He needs to prepare like he’s going to be the first player taken. That’s a goal.”

Patterson will be a sophomore next season.

“I don’t think he’s obsessing about it. But he’s preparing to be the best player in America.”

If the NBA projects Patterson to be a high draft choice, Gillispie said he would encourage him to enter the draft. Or as Gillispie said he would put it to Patterson, “Hey, bud, this opportunities don’t come along very often.”

Gillispie again said that Patterson was ahead of schedule in recovering from off-season surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left ankle.

X-rays taken six and 12 weeks after surgery revealed much more healing than anticipated, the UK coach said. Another x-ray is scheduled for Friday. Gillispie credited running on an underwater treadmill, which not many schools possess, the coach said.

Gillispie spoke of Patterson returning to the court within a month.

Gillispie noted how UK will look to Patterson to be a leader on and off the court.