Stumble It!
Here is a sample interview from the newsletter from the Peach Jam. It was done a couple of months back.
BDN- What do you think of the tournament so far?
PP- It's one of the toughest I've played in so far. Our team is doing pretty good. We jumped back from that loss to Portland and are trying to get our heads back on straight and play like we know we can.
BDN- What are your goals as far as your immediate future, such as this year in high school?
PP- Graduate of course, get my diploma, win another state championship and be named player of the year.
BDN- Have you thought about what you might want to study in college?
PP- Computer Business
BDN- How have things changed as your name has gone to the top of the recruiting lists?
PP- I enjoy the process. Nobody really knew about me until recently. I've just been playing great basketball and taking care of business by improving each time out. I have gone higher and higher in the rankings and it can get overwhelming with the coaches and things like that.
BDN- Has the process picked up a lot with coaches calling and so forth?
PP- Yes. Several colleges have contacted me.
BDN- Who are the latest to offer?
PP- Duke is the latest on to offer me.
BDN- When did they offer?
PP- On Tuesday.
BDN- Who did you talk to?
PP- I talked to Coach K, himself.
BDN- How did you feel about that?
PP- Me and family were driving here and I put him on the speakerphone, so he could talk to me, my Mom and my Dad.
BDN- Everything seems to be a family affair with you ...
PP- Yes. I am looking for that in a school.
BDN- You seem to improve each time I see you. You play with more tenacity and go after the ball more. You seem to get upset even when your teammates mess up. I am assuming you are really out there to win? Is that a part of your nature ...the way you go about the game?
PP- Really my coaches and people have told me I need to be a little more aggressive, especially on the offensive glass. I am trying to be more active on defense, and to talk a lot more.
BDN- You had five assist the other night ... are you becoming a point forward (smiling)?
PP- I got a little bit of passing in me. I have been working on that part of my game.
BDN- Now, who will be involved in the decision and when might people expect it?
PP- I plan on taking some visits and it'll come down to My Mom and Dad and myself.
BDN- Now you have a brother right?
PP- Naw just Early (who signed with Oklahoma). He hangs out eating Mom's food ... breakfast late at night, early in the morning. He's always there.
BDN- When you look into a campus, do you check out demographics ... what kind of are it is in?
PP- I check it out for things going on, the support you get from coaches, I am looking for a balanced situation in a diverse type of area.
BDN- At this point I know that the list has become long, but can you give me a rundown of the schools?
PP- Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Wake Forest, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Duke, Pitt, Oklahoma. Currently just came in are Florida State, Southern Cal and UC and of course there is Marshall,
BDN- What teams do you like to watch play?
PP- North Carolina, Duke and Kentucky.
BDN- How have things gone with UK and Tubby Smith?
PP- We like Tubby Smith. His wife and my Mom hit it off when they met each other.
BDN- What about Lexington? Do you like it there?
PP- Yeah, I have been to Lexington. The people there are great and they love basketball and Coach Smith is great,
BDN- Have you visited Durham officially yet or have you set up a visit?
PP- Naw.
BDN- So what are the big things that will sway your decision?
PP- Uh, just the relationship between the Coach and the staff and how they get along with my family, The basketball team, the campus style and education.
BDN- Are you afraid of tough education standards?
PP- No.
BDN- So you'd like to have something to fall back on ?
PP- Yes. That is what my parent stress to me a lot. They want me to get a degree. I currently carry a 3.4 and will take an academic load this year.
I appreciated your time Patrick. He said thanks and we shook hands. The austere Patterson then went on to prepare for his next game. He kept a straight face throughout the interview and is known for being hard to read, or strictly business.
