Patterson likes Wall’s attitude, team play
October 31st, 2009 | 
Author: By LARRY VAUGHT
Patrick Patterson, UK’s team leader, says the way freshman sensation John Wall has approached the season could be vital for the Wildcats’ success.
“It is real important because not everybody has that type of attitude. John has carried himself extremely well. He doesn’t let the hype or all the fame and pressure get to his head. Everyone knows who he is around campus and the Big Blue Nation knows who John Wall is. He looks in the media and bam, there he is. He looks in the paper and bam, there he is. Online people are talking about him being national player of the year, but he doesn’t let that get to his head. He wants to strive for excellence and knows if he wants to get that he has to put the work in,” Patterson said.
The UK junior said he was not worried about Wall being big-headed or not a team player when he got to Kentucky.
“I talked to him during the recruiting process. I met him and I had no negative thoughts about him. I knew he was a great man. I never thought he was cocky or full of himself when he came and when I met him in person you could tell he was not like that,” Patterson said. “When he finally decided to come here, you could tell right off the bat he was a great guy. He doesn’t let anything get to his head or take anything for granted. He works for everything he has and what people talk about is true. He is just a great man and I am so happy to have him for my teammate.”
Posted in UK Basketball
tough for anyone to stay the mark when mountaintops and swamp bottoms adorn the personal landscape. John appears to have done that, and it bodes well for this charismatic youngster. What’s not to like?
Nothing that I have seen so far DAve
I would have expected the opposite from a player that was recruited and talked about being the #1 pick in last years N.B.A draft. What a wonderful kid he is. This year is going to be special for everyone in the BBN!
Is John going to follow in the footsteps of Patrick?
WoW, is all I can say.
I really enjoy the positive atmosphere that Wall creates around him. That kind of behavior will be detrimental to the teams chemistry this year……. And by the way, run Jerry Tipton out of town. Go Cats!!!!
i agree they could be great, and i know they will be fun to watch. and absolutely either boycott paper or and maybe both, run tipton out of town, what a joke he is.
Wall has surprised me, too. Much more humble and gracious than I thought he might be. Really a nice kid and has been very thoughtful and nice to be around. Of course, Patterson sets a great example for him to follow
Larry,
Another great piece. Thanks for the tidbit on John, from Pat’s point of view. Keep up the great reporting. You are the best.
Really enjoying you in Hopkinsville.
thanks much Steve. Like being able to do thingslike this for all of you
Larry, very nice piece on Wall’s character, he is truly a great athlete and person. Perhaps a fitting title for this piece is … You can’t keep a good man down… Go Cats!!!
From what I’ve read, Wall not only stays late in the gym working on his game, encourages team mates to work hard, but also has the same work ethic in the class room. It is unbelievable how well all these UK young men
Sorry, accidentally hit the send button before I finished. Here it is again:
From what I’ve read, Wall not only stay late in the gym working on his game, encourages team mates to work hard but also has the same work ethic in the class room. It is unbelievable how all of these UK young men….. have represented themselves in the media especially during the adversity of the Gillispie era. I’m an ’82 UK Engineering graduate and I didn’t have half the maturity most of our basketball players have. They are an inspiration.
Wall has been remarkable. No doubt about that. And it is nice to see how he attacked the classroom as well. And I am with you Wes. I was nowhere near this mature at that age. Heck, I may not be yet