Patrick Patterson, Leaving the Bluegrass for Greener Pastures.

Patrick Patterson announced he was leaving Kentucky Friday for the National Basketball Association in a press conference. So despite the tardiness, I wanted to take an article to wish the big man farewell and best of luck, and look at his story:

Coming off a sub-par season prior to his arrival, the Wildcats needed a big lift. Billy Clyde Gillispie was able to seal a deal Tubby Smith had put into action and get Patrick Patterson signed to play for Kentucky, it gave UK a big time big man they had lacked since the Antoine Walker era.

Patterson was the first recruit that I had ever heard of prior to Big Blue/Midnight Madness. His announcement was the first time I had ever waited for an 'announcement' and when he put on the Kentucky hat and his mom let everyone know he was a Wildcat, Big Blue Nation was 'back.'

However, those predictions didn't pan out for the Cats immediately. Patterson's freshman season, the Cats stumbled back to the NCAA tournament after Patterson suffered a season ending stress fracture. Sophomore year, the Cats failed to make it to the NCAA tournament for the first time since the infamous probation.

Times were tough as a Wildcat and Wildcat fan. BCG was out the door and a new coach John Calipari was announced. 2Pat declared for the NBA for what seemed like moments, before removing his name and coming back to school. Everyone wondered how he would be rewarded for coming back to a system known for guard play, dribbling, and outside shooting, none of which were strong suits to Patterson’s game. Patterson was projected to be a late first round pick after all, now he was coming back and would go from a star to a question mark.

However, the questions were answered nearly immediately. He flew out to San Francisco with incoming Freshman Daniel Orton to train in the off-season. He improved his game and displayed a smooth stroke unseen before from above the key, behind the arc. He was tagged as the captain, leader, and commander on the floor, a spot normally reserved for Point Guards, demanded to be filled by Patterson.

He rallied the other star recruits and pushed them towards an ultimate SEC Regular Season Championship, and SEC Tournament Championship, and his first NCAA appearance as a #1 seed this season.

Although he fell short of his ultimate goal and target to become NCAA Champions, from the time Patterson stepped foot onto the Kentucky campus, he was a legend. He worked hard and that lead to his remarkable rebounding, scoring, blocking, and his best trait is that he demanded others do the same. However his ultimate rebound may be of a failing program. He joined a struggling team, shy of superiority and brought them back to prominence. He can be deemed the quiet soldier who didn't need the spotlight, just the W.

He said it best Friday when he defined himself as "A great ambassador for the university who worked hard on and off the court...He put everyone else before himself..." and was always epitomized by his hard work.

While his numbers will stack him towards the top in statistics, his presence will be known as the best I ever witnessed. From graduating in 3 years to his unpublicized visits to children's hospitals, he was the best student athlete/high character player.

Next years team will be missing the 14 points a game and 7 rebounds, but will be missing their veteran leader even more. Best wishes to Pat as he begins his career after Kentucky.