SAN DIEGO – Freshman guard Kevin Patton Jr., a 2023 graduate of Rancho Christian, scored sixteen points last Thursday night, but San Diego men’s basketball fell to San Francisco by an 83-63 margin as West Coast Conference play continued at the Jenny Craig Pavilion. Patton Jr. is coming off a hot month where he was named the WCC Freshman of the Week in late December. His selection marked the first conference award for USD this season.
The Dons (13-4, 2-0 WCC) outscored the Toreros (10-8, 0-3 WCC), 50-20 in the paint as both junior center Steven Jamerson II and freshman forward Jimmy Oladokun Jr. got into foul trouble before Jamerson II fouled out.
Patton Jr. attended Rancho Christian High School and graduated with Honor (a 4.2 GPA) as a three-time Academic Excellence recipient for having a 4.0 GPA or higher by the National Society of High School Scholars. During his high school career, he totaled over 1,700 points, was the 2023 CIF Southern Section Division 2A and Ivy League Players of the Year while receiving CIF All-State honors. He also helped the Eagles win the 2023 CIF Southern Section 2A title.
A transfer to Rancho Christian in 2022, Patton Jr. received Arizona Interscholastic Association All-State First team honors while at Maricopa High School where he was the AIA Regional Player of the Year. In 2021, he received CAA Open Division All-State First Team honors as he helped his team win the Open Division State title in Arizona. Heading into this week, USD sits at 10-9 overall as they travel to Portland then return home to face Gonzaga on Saturday night.
JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia.com.
