Pac-10, Big 12 Eyeing San Antonio Forward
In the state of Texas, the San Antonio area is often overlooked when it comes
to basketball talent. But this year at least, colleges are well aware of
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Patrick Britton, a lanky 6-foot-8, 195-pound combo forward from Southwest High
School in the city limits. Britton has heard from a multitude of schools in
his recruitment, has a current top five and is starting to set up his official
visits.
After a successful summer with the San Antonio Rohawks AAU squad, Britton
received plenty of interest from schools from not only all over the country,
but from varying levels as well. High-major conferences such as the Big 12 and
Pac-10 down to lower D-I leagues such as the Southland Conference and Ivy
League all have made contact with Britton.
While he's still fairly wide-open at this point, Britton does have a current
top five: Stanford, Texas Tech, Tulsa, Rice, and SMU. We asked Britton to
comment on his current leaders.
On Stanford: "It seems like a great opportunity there, whether I play
basketball after college or not. Everything depends on my application there."
On Texas Tech: "It would be a great opportunity to play for Coach Knight. He
obviously knows a lot."
On Tulsa: "I've heard that it is a nice campus, and it seems like a great
school. Coach Phillips and the other coaches seem really nice."
On Rice: "I've been talking to them for awhile, ever since last school year
ended. My mom really likes them. It's just down in Houston and it's a really
good school."
On SMU: "We got a chance to see the campus a little bit (on an unofficial
visit). The girls' coach at my school went there."
All the aforementioned schools will be in town over the next few weeks for some
in-home visits. Britton has already scheduled one official visit to Rice for
next weekend, and trips to Texas Tech and Tulsa are also in the works. He
would also like to visit Stanford, but again, it depends on how the application
process goes for him there.
While Britton is sure of taking at least a few visits, is he looking at taking
all five official visits that he's allowed?
"I don't think so," said Britton. "It just depends on how the first couple of
visits go. If I find the school I like after those couple I won't take all
five visits."
Basically what the visits will allow Britton to do is find the right fit for
him.
"It's just going to be the school I feel comfortable with," said Britton. "How
I feel comfortable with the coaches and the relationship there. Also where I
can grow as a player and I can get better. It's basically going to be where I
feel comfortable."
While Britton would like to sign in the fall, it is a situation where he has to
feel 100 percent comfortable with his choice. Otherwise, he may wait until
spring.
A versatile big man, Britton has a real nose for the basketball around the
basket. He runs the floor extremely well, hits the boards hard, and has the
ability to not only score around the hoop but also from the perimeter.
"He's pretty quick for his size," said Southwest head coach Darrin Kasper.
"He's a good defender, a pretty good passer, and his jumpshot is getting pretty
consistent - he's starting to shoot the three."
The main thing Britton will need to do is build strength to his wiry frame. He
is also working on improving his fundamentals in all parts of the game.
"I'm working on getting stronger," said Britton. "Also expanding my game out
more, handling the ball more and increasing my range. Basically becoming a
more complete player."
Colleges are mainly looking at Britton as a versatile power forward, one that
can do damage either inside or out. Depending on the school, he may eventually
be moved out to the three.
"Schools see him as a skilled four man," said Kasper. "One that can take
advantage of bigger guys with his quickness on the outside, and take advantage
of guys smaller than him inside."
One thing that's also attractive about Britton is that he is a fantastic
student. The holder of a 3.5 GPA, Britton scored an 1100 on the SAT.
"He's just a great kid," said Kasper. "And he's got unlimited potential as a
basketball player."
Be sure to keep a close eye on where this talented combo forward decides to
attend college.
Jed Tai is a senior writer with Hoopville.com