Pattillo bounces around, eyes NBA landing spot
Most players claim they would go anywhere to chase their dreams of playing in the NBA. When Juan Pattillo says it, he means it.
The 24-year-old from Las Vegas attended three high schools, played at three colleges and had a brief professional stop in the Philippines. Last season, the high-flying forward emerged as one of the top rookies in the NBA Development League with the Bakersfield Jam.
And his odyssey is not over.
“(The NBA) is definitely a goal,” Pattillo said. “Believe it or not, I’m going to be there eventually. It just takes time, but hopefully I’ll be there sooner than later.
“But until I get there, I can’t stop.”
Pattillo, a 6-foot-6-inch, 225-pound forward, is back in Las Vegas to display his talents in the NBA Summer League with the D-League Select Team.
He used the word “journey” five times to describe his basketball odyssey.
Pattillo attended Ann Arbor (Mich.) Pioneer High School as a freshman before moving to Las Vegas. He played at Valley as a sophomore, then his final two prep seasons at Canyon Springs, from which he graduated in 2006. Pattillo went on to College of Southern Idaho, where he blossomed into an elite recruit.
Pattillo signed with Oklahoma, and averaged 6.2 points and 3.6 rebounds in 18 games as a junior, but was dismissed by then-Sooners coach Jeff Capel in May 2009 for an undisclosed violation of team policy. Pattillo landed on his feet at Western Kentucky, where he averaged 13.7 points and 9.1 rebounds as a senior.
Pattillo didn’t get into specifics of what happened with Oklahoma, saying only that he has matured over the years.
“I think as time goes on, you get wiser after every situation,” he said. “I take every situation and try to apply it to my life to better myself as a basketball player and a man. I think it has molded me to the person I am today. You live and you learn; that’s the blessing of life.”
Pattillo brought energy off the bench in his D-League rookie season and became a fan favorite in Bakersfield, Calif., for his explosive finishes above the rim. He averaged 14.5 points and 7.2 rebounds in 49 regular-season games for the Jam (28-22), who won a playoff series for the first time in franchise history.
Pattillo said he was appreciative of the opportunity to play for the Jam, but called it a “50-50” shot whether he will return to the team this season. Playing overseas could be attractive financially.
One person who would like to see Pattillo return to Bakersfield is Jam coach Will Voigt, who is coaching this week with the Atlanta Hawks’ summer league team.
“He’s an NBA athlete, for sure,” Voigt said. “I think as a rookie, he had a great year.
“He’s a great story for the D-League and a guy that, if he comes back, could really blow up next year.”
Pattillo is undersized as an NBA power forward prospect, so he’s working on his perimeter skills at the summer league.
He started but struggled Thursday, scoring seven points on 2-for-8 shooting in a 77-68 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks at Cox Pavilion.
Former Canyon Springs coach Daryl Branham isn’t surprised to see his former post player begin to knock on the door of the NBA.
“We always saw his athleticism. He can elevate,” Branham said. “He was just so strong around the basket, and his shooting got better over the years.”
■ NOTES – Former Findlay Prep star Tristan Thompson had his best game of the summer league Thursday with 16 points on 7-for-10 shooting, but the second-year forward got little help from his Cleveland teammates in a 78-65 loss to Minnesota. The Lakers’ atrocious showing at the summer league came to a positive end with a 75-69 victory over the Clippers at the Thomas & Mack Center. Christian Eyenga led the Lakers (1-4) with 22 points.
Contact reporter Tristan Aird at taird@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203. Follow him on Twitter: @tristanaird.
