Patton marches with Hornets

6-foot-7 Joshua Patton is still blossoming -- currently ranked No. 16 in the NorCalPreps.com 2015 Top 40 -- but Sacramento State Coach Brian Katz wanted further blooming to be done as a Hornet and the two recently formed a mutually beneficial pact.

The Sierra High (Manteca) talent is coming off a season as the Valley Oak League Most Valuable Player honoree based on 11.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.3 shotblocks per contest. He's particularly efficient at swatting shots as well as changing the arc of others. Add in a 3.12 grade point average and it's quite the well-rounded individual coming next year to the capital.

So why Sacramento State?

"I went on an unofficial [visit] over the summer and I got along with coach Katz really well," Patton explained. "On my official this past week, I really connected with all of the coaches and the players. I liked the atmosphere and its a nice campus."

He listed a trio of elements he'll be bringing to the Hornets "a good defensive presence, scoring around the basket and running the court well."

Patton stood an unremarkable 5-foot-10 in the eighth grade. One year later, he measured 6-foot-3 as a high school freshman, finishing that season at 6-foot-5. As a junior, he reached 6-foot-7.

Come Patton's freshman season, he will be joining a youthful collection of Sacramento State frontcourters, what with 6-foot-11 Eric Stuteville, brother Mason Stuteville who measures 6-foot-10 and 6-foot-9 James Herrick, all currently Hornet underclassmen.

But first comes a defense of the Valley Oak League title. The Timberwolves finished last season 20-7 overall, 12-2 in conference and it looks like most of the major contributors are returning. An ultimate team player, Patton described his best basketball moment as a sense or feeling, not a particular achievement. "It's when everyone is on the same page, everything's clicking. After all, a basketball team is like a second family." That sentiment bodes well for a Sierra repeat.