Four-star forward Patterson commits to Wildcats
For years, Villanova has been called Guard U because of Jay Wright’s ability to recruit and develop outstanding backcourt players like Randy Foye, Allan Ray, Scottie Reynolds, Ryan Arcidiacono, Jalen Brunson and Donte DiVincenco.
Lately, though, Forward U would be an appropriate moniker, too. Villanova has produced three of the last four Julius Erving Award winners as the top small forward in college basketball: Josh Hart (2017), Mikal Bridges (2018) and Saddiq Bey (2020).
Rutgers Prep wing Trey Patterson hopes to carry on that tradition.
The 6-8 small forward announced Thursday night that he is headed to Villanova. Patterson announced his decision on Twitter and The Front Office YouTube channel while flanked by his parents. The four-star recruit is ranked No. 34 overall in his class and the No. 8 small forward.
“In the fall of 2021 I will be at
tending Villanova University,” Patterson said. As he made the announcement, he unzipped a hoodie to reveal a Villanova T-shirt.
Patterson is the second frontcourt player to commit to the Wildcats from the Class of 2021. Nnanna Njoku, a 6-9 forward from Sanford School in Delaware, announced his decision to attend Villanova in April.
“I feel like I can fit into their system very well,” Patterson said. “Their style of play I feel is good for me.
Over these last couple of years I’ve developed a good relationship with Coach Wright and his coaching staff. And I feel like I can believe in them and their plan for me.”
Patterson averaged 19.8 points and 10.1 rebounds to lead the Argonauts to a 27-2 record. They won their first Somerset County tournament championship since 1983 and clinched a berth in the South Jersey Non-Public B final. He recorded 19 double-doubles, went over the 1,000-point mark and was a second-team all-state selection by NJ.com.
Patterson comes from a basketball family. His father played at St. Francis (Pa.) and his mother played at Seton Hall, according to published reports. He is a versatile wing who can play multiple positions on offense and defense, a good shooter from beyond the arc and considered an elite scorer at the rim.
Patterson cited the development of Hart, Bridges, Omari Spellman and Bey as among the reasons he chose Villanova. Hart was taken by the Lakers with the 30th pick of the first round and then was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans. Bridges went No. 10 overall to the Sixers in 2018 only to be traded to the Phoenix Suns. Spellman went No. 30 that year to the Atlanta Hawks and was traded to the Golden State Warriors and then the Minnesota Timberwolves.
“Over the past couple of years they’ve done an excellent job with players of my type, small forwards,” Patterson said. “… I feel like they know what it takes to develop kids to reach their goals and reach the next level and that’s what I plan to do for myself.”
He also had a message for the ‘Nova Nation.
“You’re getting a hardworking, driven kid that’s just looking to compete and hopefully bring back another national championship to Villanova,” Patterson said.