David Patten Leaning To Spring Decision

David Patten, a skilled 6-8, 205 pound forward from El Dorado H.S. in Placentia, Calif., will probably wait until the spring to sign.

"I am pretty much down to Utah and Pepperdine, but there are some other things which I must wait and see if they happen," Patten said. "So I am going to wait it out."

Patten said Tulane is still hanging in the picture, but Pepperdine and Utah are his clear top two choices.

So what are the "things" that have Patten's future hanging in the balance?

"It's a just a matter if I am going to play before my Mission or not," Patten said. "I am not sure right now, other than the fact that I will definitely be going on a Mission."

Like many parishioners in the Church of Latter Day Saints (commonly referred to as Mormons), Patten hopes to enrich his education and broaden his horizons through a church-sponsored mission.

It's a major reason why the University of Utah is a very appealing option to him. Rick Majerus' program is accustomed to having players go on LDS sponsored Missions, on top of fielding a perennial power in the Mountain West Conference.

Utah has already handed out its three available scholarships for next year, although Patten is not averse to attending Utah as a part-time student next year, going on his Mission and then returning to Salt Lake City bigger and older three years down the road. That would still give him four years of eligibility with the Utes.

Pepperdine is another palatable option for Patten, with its beautiful Malibu campus and close Southern California location. If Patten were to pick Pepperdine, he said he would likely go to school there for a year or two before embarking on a Mission.

When asked if he would sign early, Patten stated that there was almost no chance he would ink a letter of intent sometime over the next week.

Earlier this fall, Patten listed Colorado, UC-Santa Barbara and St. Mary's in addition to Utah, Pepperdine and Tulane. He officially visited Colorado from Sept. 21-23, but the Buffs no longer appear to be an option.

With Patten highly likely to sign late, Rivalshoops.com will keep you posted on his status in the coming months, so keep it here for the latest!