Recruiting Report: Gavin Patton (2019)
Six-foot-6 Minnetonka forward Gavin Patton first grabbed Minnesota’s attention with a strong showing on the Wear Out the Net 17u team. Now he’s a 19 point per game scorer for the Skippers, and one of the most improved players in…
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Continue ReadingSix-foot-6 Minnetonka forward Gavin Patton first grabbed Minnesota’s attention with a strong showing on the Wear Out the Net 17u team. Now he’s a 19 point per game scorer for the Skippers, and one of the most improved players in the state.
WOTN went 36-18 last year finishing with a rank of 6th in Minnesota. They were once again one of the better defensive programs which led to a great season for players like Gavin.
“What made me grow as a player from my 17u season was the culture I was around,” Patton explained. “It was an amazing program and it taught me a lot. The biggest take away I had was how to become a better teammate and a better leader so I was grateful for that and able to transition that into the high school season.”
Minnetonka lost two key transfers in addition to the players that graduated. Little was expected from the team but despite a difficult schedule they’ve won 60 percent of their games. Gavin’s play has been a big part of the success.
“I’d say that we’ve definitely exceeded our expectations,” Patton explained. “We didn’t know what to expect when we had two of our players transfer but ultimately I saw that as an opportunity to step into a bigger role than I’ve had in previous years and also become a stronger leader for the team.
“The season’s been going great, the guys are a fun group to play with and we mesh together really well!”
And how has Gavin improved from a seven point per game role guy to one of the leading scorers in the toughest league in Minnesota?
“Keeping true to myself and believing in me has really helped me become the player I am today along with all of the hard work I’ve put in. Some of the work I put in last year before the season started was that I would wake up at 5 a.m. every morning to get to the high school at 6 and get a solid workout in for an hour and a half, then once the season started I really worked on my shot.
“My dad and I would get to a gym at least 3 times a week and make 500 shots. I believe that staying consistent with those workouts elevated my game.”
A work ethic like Gavin has along with the pedigree of a top player in the Lake Conference equals playing college basketball. Patton has the ability to play at the next level.
“For college I’m looking for a place that isn’t too small,” Patton said. “I like the bigger schools but not too big because I want to be able to still have close relationships with my professors rather than just being a number at attendance of the school.
“I would also prefer a school that has a good mix between the location being rural and urban. As far as athletics goes I want to play for a team that has great culture because when every one is on the same page and loves playing with each other it makes the season much more enjoyable and its fun thing to be apart of.”
Patton has been on a visit already plus four schools are in contact with him the most.
“The main schools I’ve been in contact with recently have been Minnesota-Duluth, St. John’s, Bethel, and Jamestown,” Patton explained. “I went to UMD in December to check out the school non basketball related, I went to St. John’s recently but I have not been to Jamestown and Bethel yet.”
The coaches in Collegeville impressed Patton during his visit weeks back.
“The coaching staff was great, I could tell they not only wanted you to succeed in their program but also cared about setting you up for success when you leave. Also the campus was very nice along with the sports facilities, and the school had a nursing major which is something I’m looking for in my college search.”