It was tough, at first, for Patterson to accept going to a junior college after not qualifying academically out of high school. He admitted that he didn't care about his grades during his freshman and sophomore year, and it left him in a tough predicament.
He wanted to go straight from high school to a top-notch program, but the detour to Hutchinson has helped him grow as a person, he said.
"I thought junior college would be a waste of time," Patterson said. "It has been a great thing for me to come here and learn.
"Back in high school, I didn't have everything I needed. I didn't respect people how I should. The coaches here have taught me respect and how to do things the right way."