Patterson says he’ll enter draft

Junior forward Patrick Patterson announced Friday that he will enter his name in this year’s NBA Draft. He said he would hire an agent, meaning his career at Kentucky is finished.

Patterson said he considered returning to UK for his senior season. “Because I love the University of Kentucky so much,” he said.

“I just felt it was time for me to go, time for me to start a new chapter in my life.”

Patterson’s announcement came several weeks after UK announced that he would be among five players who would enter their names in this year’s NBA Draft.

Patterson came to UK as the answer to a fan prayer. He was the long-sought-after power forward that had slipped away year after recruiting year.

To get him, Kentucky had to overcome a coaching change. Tubby Smith laid the groundwork to sign Patterson. Then Billy Gillispie finalized the recruitment.

Patterson, who committed to UK on the last day of the spring signing period, was worth the wait. He gave the Cats a reliably productive low-post player and a team leader.

Gillispie made him the anchor of his two UK teams.

An ankle injury prevented Patterson from playing in the NCAA Tournament as a freshman. His sophomore season ended in what he called a “tragedy:” participation in the National Invitation Tournament.

After entering his name in the 2009 NBA Draft, Patterson withdrew before working out for a single team. He said he decided to complete work for a degree and improve his perimeter skills under new coach John Calipari.

When asked if he had any regrets about returning to UK for his junior season, Patterson said he was “fully satisfied with the decision to return.

The return to UK for a junior season was worthwhile, he said.

“Definitely,” Patterson said. “Last year I wasn’t really confident in my jump shot (or) things on perimeter, guarding perimeter players. I was pretty much post oriented. . . . I improved tremendously.”

Patterson said he hoped to be remembered as a “great ambassador” for UK basketball and a player who “put teammates ahead of himself.”

When asked if he believed he had been part of returning Kentucky to elite status in college basketball, Patterson said, “I hope so.”

An influx of star freshmen helped Kentucky post a 35-3 record and No. 1 ranking this past season.

“The first two years were not the true Kentucky years,” he said. “To be part of a team that got Kentucky back to its rightful place is definitely part of history.”