Previous 2021 Scouting Reports: Aminu Mohammed, Trey Kaufman
Indiana has addressed two major needs in the 2021 class in the frontcourt and backcourt, but the wing remains a priority.
Archie Miller has shown he loves to use multiple different lineups and thus multiple guard and wing combinations. He has loaded up on a handful of guards in the past few classes but very few of them are true wings who can play the '3' position.
Trey Patterson is exactly that. He is one of the more talented and true wing players in the 2021 class and Indiana has made him a priority up to this point in his recruitment.
Patterson has great size at 6-foot-8 and a full build to go along with his size at 210 pounds. He is a hybrid forward that fits into the Justin Smith or Troy Williams position at Indiana.
His athleticism is what stands out, but not in the explosive way as some other players. He isn't necessarily that quick perimeter player who can get into the lane at will, but more so someone who uses his athletic ability to play above the rim when he gets there. Patterson's body control around the rim is exceptional and does make up for a bit of the lack of explosiveness.
Comparing him to some of the other perimeter prospects that Indiana is after in 2021, while Patterson has a versatile skillset, he isn't as developed as a true ball handler or passer. He does have the ability to beat players off of the dribble, but it is into a pull-up jumper more than an explosive finish at the rim.
Where he can help Indiana out is with his shooting. He has a smooth shooting stroke that is extremely consistent whether it is off of the dribble or catch. The release can be a bit slow, but has been effective at every level he has played.
His stats show how exceptional he is on the glass, averaging 10.9 rebounds a game last year, but that can get overlooked at time. His length is what provides him an advantage. Usually playing more on the wing and crashing the glass, he gets his hands on the ball more often than not, either tipping it to himself or on the backboard.
While his length is a factor when rebounding the ball, it is an even bigger factor on the defensive end. Patterson isn't a 'lockdown' one-on-one defender, but he is very good off of the ball. His length allows him to get into passing lanes leading to easy transition buckets.
Patterson is ranked the No. 30 prospect in the 2021 class.
----
• Talk about it inside The Hoops Forum or The Football Forum
• Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes
• Follow us on Twitter: @IndianaRivals
• Like us on Facebook.
