Post by melisas63 on Jun 30, 2009 20:21:44 GMT -6
OU transfer Pattillo lands at WKU
Touted forward dismissed from Sooners, can play in 2010-11
www.bgdailynews.com/articles/2009/06/11/sports/sports2.txt
Touted forward dismissed from Sooners, can play in 2010-11
www.bgdailynews.com/articles/2009/06/11/sports/sports2.txt
A former top junior college prospect and a member of Oklahoma’s NCAA Tournament Elite Eight squad last year has decided to transfer to Western Kentucky.
Forward Juan Pattillo confirmed Wednesday he’s signed scholarship papers with WKU. The 6-foot-6, 216-pound forward must redshirt next season and will then play his senior season with the Hilltoppers in 2010-11.
Pattillo visited WKU over the weekend, then decided to join the Hilltoppers.
“After I took the visit, I just felt comfortable going there,” Pattillo said. “It’s a good fit for me. I got a good feel for the coaching staff and the players.”
Pattillo lands at WKU after being dismissed from the Sooners by coach Jeff Capel for an undisclosed violation of team policy.
He averaged 6.2 points and 3.6 rebounds while only playing in the second half of the season. Pattillo had redshirted after transferring from the College of Southern Idaho, but his redshirt was pulled on Jan. 12 in a game against Texas.
“(Oklahoma) went all right, just all right,” Pattillo said. “I kind of struggled coming out of redshirt halfway through the season, not really knowing the plays. It’s a tough transition for a newcomer anyway, then I had to play catch-up.”
Pattillo declined to offer details about why his redshirt was pulled halfway into the season.
“It’s quite a long story. I don’t really want to go into it because you can’t go back on it now,” Pattillo said. “I made the decision, but there’s more to it.”
Before landing at Oklahoma, Pattillo was a highly sought after product at the College of Southern Idaho. One recruiting analyst considered him the No. 3 junior college sophomore in the country in 2007-08 when he averaged 17.4 points in only 22 minutes of work.
Pattillo also reportedly was offered a scholarship by then-Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie before he went to Oklahoma.
He came off the bench for the Sooners and played behind All-American forward Blake Griffin, likely the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.
Pattillo said his Sooners experience will benefit a Hilltoppers team that has been to the NCAA Tournament in each of the past two years.
“Just my presence (will be beneficial),” Pattillo said. “I’ve been to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament. I played with a first-round draft pick. Just my experience (will help).”
Forward Juan Pattillo confirmed Wednesday he’s signed scholarship papers with WKU. The 6-foot-6, 216-pound forward must redshirt next season and will then play his senior season with the Hilltoppers in 2010-11.
Pattillo visited WKU over the weekend, then decided to join the Hilltoppers.
“After I took the visit, I just felt comfortable going there,” Pattillo said. “It’s a good fit for me. I got a good feel for the coaching staff and the players.”
Pattillo lands at WKU after being dismissed from the Sooners by coach Jeff Capel for an undisclosed violation of team policy.
He averaged 6.2 points and 3.6 rebounds while only playing in the second half of the season. Pattillo had redshirted after transferring from the College of Southern Idaho, but his redshirt was pulled on Jan. 12 in a game against Texas.
“(Oklahoma) went all right, just all right,” Pattillo said. “I kind of struggled coming out of redshirt halfway through the season, not really knowing the plays. It’s a tough transition for a newcomer anyway, then I had to play catch-up.”
Pattillo declined to offer details about why his redshirt was pulled halfway into the season.
“It’s quite a long story. I don’t really want to go into it because you can’t go back on it now,” Pattillo said. “I made the decision, but there’s more to it.”
Before landing at Oklahoma, Pattillo was a highly sought after product at the College of Southern Idaho. One recruiting analyst considered him the No. 3 junior college sophomore in the country in 2007-08 when he averaged 17.4 points in only 22 minutes of work.
Pattillo also reportedly was offered a scholarship by then-Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie before he went to Oklahoma.
He came off the bench for the Sooners and played behind All-American forward Blake Griffin, likely the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.
Pattillo said his Sooners experience will benefit a Hilltoppers team that has been to the NCAA Tournament in each of the past two years.
“Just my presence (will be beneficial),” Pattillo said. “I’ve been to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament. I played with a first-round draft pick. Just my experience (will help).”
