Ruben Nathaniel Patterson (born July 31 1975 in Cleveland, Ohio) is a professional basketball player in the NBA. He is currently in the fifth year of a six-year contract with the Denver Nuggets. He plays the small forward position, and has shown the ability to defend against anyone from the point guard to power forward. After a college career at the University of Cincinnati where he earned third team All-American honours and helped lead the Bearcats to Conference USA titles in both his seasons there.
Early life[]
Patterson had a troubled family life, with both parents and one of his sisters battling drug addiction and his father spending time in prison. He lived mostly with his mother, Charlene Patterson, who died of a heart attack when he was at the University of Cincinnati.
After hearing of her death while on a road trip, he rejected an offer to fly home and spend time with his family, instead staying with his team for the game and scoring 37 points. "My mother would have wanted me to play", Ruben explained.
NBA career[]
Patterson was a second round selection of the 1998 NBA Draft (31st pick overall), chosen by the Los Angeles Lakers. He has since played for the Lakers, Seattle SuperSonics, and the Portland Trail Blazers, averaging a career 10.2 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. He nicknamed himself the "Kobe-stopper" after playing strong defense against NBA superstar Kobe Bryant.
Often outspoken and erratic, Patterson was temporarily suspended from the Trail Blazers in the 2005-2006 season for speaking harshly at coach Nate McMillan and refusing to return to a game, upset about his lack of playing time. Patterson later explained his outburst, saying he was frustrated and it was "like the devil hit me and told me to get it out".[1] He also demanded that he get at least 25 minutes per game or be traded.
In February 2006, Patterson got his wish and was traded to Denver.
Controversy[]
Patterson has been involved in a number of off the court issues during his basketball career. Patterson must register himself as a sex offender in the state where he lives due to pleading guilty in 2001 to attempted rape of his child?s nanny. It was reported that he forced the nanny to perform a sex act on him. Also in February 2001, Patterson was convicted of misdemeanor assault for attacking a man who scratched his car outside a Cleveland, Ohio night club. Patterson was arrested in 2002 for felony domestic abuse charges on his wife. His wife later dropped the charges and they later divorced.
External links[]
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