Justin Patton Preps For NBA Draft

Pre-Draft Media Packet

OMAHA, Neb. -- Creighton University men's basketball center Justin Patton met the media on Monday morning in Omaha as the redshirt freshman discussed Thursday's upcoming NBA Draft in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Patton is expected to be a first-round pick, which would make him the program's second first-round pick in the last four years. Creighton's last selection in the NBA Draft came in 2014, when Doug McDermott went 11^th overall in the First Round to the Denver Nuggets. McDermott now plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder, and is currently joined in the NBA by fellow Creighton alums Kyle Korver (Cleveland Cavaliers) and Anthony Tolliver, who spent last season with the Sacramento Kings.

In his interview, Patton discussed a busy two months since declaring for the Draft, including workouts with the Portland, Denver, Charlotte, Detroit and Atlanta franchises. He added that potential trips to Milwaukee and Miami were pending. He discussed meeting key NBA figures from past and present, including Magic Johnson, Alonzo Mourning and Joel Embiid among others during the NBA Draft Lottery show.

When asked about his Creighton experience, Patton said "It's been great. Creighton is probably the best thing that's happened to me besides being born, I guess. I've met a lot of great people who I know will be in my life forever. It's been life-changing. Just being in the community and around a lot of selfless people who...put others before them. It's been great. It's made me a better person and also a better basketball player just knowing that when I step on the floor I'm always be a step ahead just because of the coaching staff and how they prepared me for the certain things I'll be going through in the future."

Patton also teased the media when he asked about his upcoming draft night attire. With a big smile, Patton said "I'll look good. I'll be representing Omaha too with my suit. You'll see." Clarence Jones of CJ Custom Clothiers helped design his wardrobe, Patton added later.

An Omaha native, Patton led Creighton with 6.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocked shots per game, and was second on the club with 12.9 points per game. He owned 72 dunks during his redshirt freshman season and owned 28 games of 10 or more points, including four games of 20 points or more. The 7-footer's field goal percentage (67.6 percent) led the BIG EAST, ranked second nationally in 2016-17, and is the best mark in NCAA history by a freshman in a major conference.

In addition to being BIG EAST Freshman of the Year, Patton was named Second Team All-BIG EAST, Second Team All-District 5 by the National Association of Basketball Coaches, and a unanimous pick to the BIG EAST's All-Freshman Team. He was one of 10 candidates for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award, and one of 12 finalists for the Wayman Tisdale Freshman of the Year Award. He was named BIG EAST Freshman of the Week on three occasions.

Coached by Greg McDermott, Creighton went 25-10 in 2016-17. The Bluejays tied for third place in the BIG EAST Conference, played in the BIG EAST Tournament final at Madison Square Garden, and reached the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in the last six seasons.

Players Mentioned

Justin Patton

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