Kentucky freshman forward Patrick Patterson, whose stellar debut campaign was cut short by a foot injury, stunned fans across the Commonwealth with his announcement that he will leave the program to play for rival Duke and coach Mike Krzyzweski.
"I will miss the friends I have made in Lexington," Patterson said. "But in order for me to prepare for life beyond college this is the best move for me."
Patterson provided UK's best inside presence during an 18-13 season that was marred by injuries to guard Jodie Meeks and Derrick Jasper as well as the transfer of Alex Legion to Illinois.
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Early speculation centered on UK Coach Billy Gillispie's hard practices and demanding style. Patterson quickly quashed that rumor during his press conference.
"That's definitely false. If anything, Coach Gillispie was a huge benefit to my development. All the blisters and the broken bones will be worth it in the long run."
With no inside presence immediately available for the 08-09 season, Gillispie has focused his recruiting efforts on Apo Francis-Daye. Daye is a 6-10 center who has spent this year at the famed Oak Hill Academy, where he averaged 30.1 points and 15.0 rebounds.
Daye is also considering Georgetown, UCLA and Texas but threw Indiana out of the mix due to the recent turmoil in Bloomington.
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5 months ago
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Can we get a source, please? I'm seeing nothing on the Internet...
5 months ago
I'm guessing the date the article was published has something to do with it? :)
5 months ago
This is when a "Delete comment" button would be helpful.
Not cool, Marc. Not cool.
4 months ago
what the hell man this guy is an idiot Patrick isnt gonna transfer to duke give me a break
4 months ago
It's called April Fool's Day for a reason.
4 months ago
oh nice job lol u really had me on that one lol great job lol
4 months ago
oh people,people,people. best school,best coach,best team, nuf said
4 months ago
oh people,people,people. best school,best coach,best team, nuf said
4 months ago
You could have at least come up with something that had a shred of a chance of being true. The fact that some people actually fell for this is embarrassing to Kentucky fans who actually think before opening mouth and inserting foot. It is now April 3rd and I just saw this a few minutes ago because it was the 3rd ranked story on my Google page under Billy Gillispie and was wondering why they were still showing April Fools stories as a lead. And this is not an "I am so smart because I knew this was an April Fools story comment". This is a "How in the H-E-L-L could ANYBODY fall for this"? Especially considering the day of the year that it was. Now if you had said Patterson would throw his hat into the NBA draft ring because his dad lost his job, or his parents were about to lose their house, you might have had a lot more people hooked instead of dumb and dumber, I mean Tim and Tyler. But good try. You obviously understand the psyche of the Kentucky basketball F-A-Natic. As far as your tourney Cinderella teams go. You should have had more faith in Western Ky. They proved that they really belonged.
4 months ago
This just came in my google alerts...well, actually yesterday afternoon.
I had to figure it was a joke.
4 months ago
WELL...DID HE LEAVE OR IS HE STILL THERE??H E SURE CAN'T SPELL ANDI AM SURPRISED HE TRASFERRED TO THE DUKIES. HE WON'T FARE SO WELL DOWN IN NORTH CAROLINA LAND AND THE RET OF THE DUKES WO'T IKE HIM CASE HE IS A KNOW IT ALL. COACH K WILL SCOWL AT HIM AND HE WILL TUN AWAY LIKE A LIL KID. AS FAR AS THE BLIATERS AND HARDSHIP INDUCED HIM ON MY FAV COACH BILLY G THAT IS REALLY SORTA-KINDA FUNNY. pATRICK, IF U CAN'T RUN WITH THE BIG CATS, GET BACK ON THE PORCH!!!!
from 4 months ago
Um Kathy, that was an April Fool's Day joke. Note the recruit's name Apo Francis-Daye. A.F.D.
4 months ago
This is STUPID!!! Patrick would NEVER LEAVE for the Dukes!!!!
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