Patterson staying home for IU
The Indiana Hoosiers are on a roll in the 2012 class. Earlier in the month they picked up a commitment from Peter Jurkin, and they got on the board again in the class with a verbal pledge from four-star wing Ron Patterson.
At 6-foot-3 with a 6-foot-9 wing span and big time athleticism, Patterson is a prospect that has been on college radars since before he even entered high school. Now that hard work put in by Coach Tom Crean and the Indiana Hoosiers paid off with a verbal commitment.
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"I selected Indiana because it was close to home," said Patterson of his decision. "I like IU a lot, I like Coach Crean, and I want to be with friends."
One thing that stood out to Patterson was the way Crean personally recruited him. Since Patterson was in the eighth grade, Crean has been the main person from the Hoosiers talking to him, and that helped the Hoosiers stand out from the crowd.
"It played a big role," Patterson explained of Crean's impact on his decision. "The head coach has been recruiting me and not an assistant since I was going into my freshman year."
Ever since taking the job, Crean has been trying to secure a big time commitment from an in-state kid. He landed Austin Etherington in the 2011 class, and now Patterson is hoping his commitment gets the ball rolling with other highly touted players from the Hoosier State in the loaded 2012 class.
"It is a big role," said Patterson of being a recruiter. "Hopefully people will follow me now."
Specifically Patterson is trying to get former AAU teammate and friend Jeremy Hollowell to join him. Hollowell has narrowed his choices to Ohio State and Indiana.