JUCO guard sets three visits

Avery Patterson, the 6-foot-4, 200-pound shooting guard/small forward from Iowa Western Community College has seen his stock increase significantly throughout the last month. A head coach from the Big 12 recently dropped by to check in on Patterson and, as it stands right now; three official visits have already been scheduled.

"Yes, Coach Bill Self was here to see Avery," said Iowa Western assistant coach James Bankhead. "KU is very interested in him, but a lot of that depends on what happens with Brandon Rush. Coach Self said that Avery is the best shooting guard out there, so they are very interested in him right now.

"Avery is the type of player that can read screens extremely well and can really shoot the ball," he added. "He is very athletic and every shot that he takes he feels that it's going in the basket. Avery is a very confident basketball player."

Patterson, the No. 56 ranked junior college prospect in the class of 2006, is ready to take the next step forward in his recruitment. Having already taken an official visit to Wyoming, three additional visits have been planned.

"Avery is taking a visit to St. John's this weekend," said Bankhead. "He will then travel to Miami-FL next weekend and then finish up with a trip to Cincinnati. Coach Tom Izzo is supposed to be coming in next week to see Avery. Oh, Mississippi State is another school that is very interested.

"To be honest with you, quite a few schools are interest in Avery, but I don't know what school he plans to visit for his final official visit," he added.

Patterson is originally from A.L. Brown High School in Kannapolis, N.C. He averaged 28 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 6 steals a game. He was a two-time player of the year along with twice being named all-conference and all-state.