Lu’Cye Patterson decides to stick with Charlotte 49ers

CHARLOTTE ATHLETICS

Lu'Cye Patterson, who averaged 14.6 points and 3.4 rebounds last season at Charlotte, announced he'll return for his senior campaign.

Lu’Cye Patterson is staying in the Queen City.

Patterson announced via social media on Wednesday that he is not entering the transfer portal and will play his senior year for the Charlotte 49ers. This wasn’t a decision Patterson said he came to quickly, but after talking with his family, coaches and teammates, he felt this was the best decision.

“I didn’t want to rush,” said Patterson, who averaged 14.6 points, 2.5 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game last season for Charlotte (19-12). “I didn’t want to make a decision quickly then it hurt me in the future. After the Temple loss I just needed to take some time off and just relax, kind of let everything settle in before I started thinking about the future.”

Patterson said he has a close relationship with the Charlotte coaching staff, and that was a big factor in his decision to stay.

“I love the coaching staff here,” he said. “They’ve allowed me to grow as a person and they’ve allowed me to grow as a basketball player. That was really big for me and my decision because they put a lot of belief in me and even though sometimes things were hard, they always stuck it out with me. That is why I felt like I should be loyal back to them.”

Since the season’s end, four players have entered the portal: Daylan Berry, Jackson Threadgill, Dishon Jackson and Igor Milicic. Jackson has committing to Iowa State. While the transfers didn’t make Patterson’s decision any easier, he doesn’t harbor any resentment toward his former teammates for choosing to do what was best for them and their families.

“I know sometimes guys have their own agendas,” he said. “I’m not mad at anybody that ever hit the portal. Even though I felt like we could do something [special], I know it’s not a personal thing and they feel like it is best for their career. Whatever decision they made, I’m happy for them because, at the end of the day, those are my guys.”

Charlotte coach Aaron Fearne and his staff have already hit the portal to recruit players. Patterson says he has had a hand in that himself.

“I was on a lot of the recruiting visits,” Patterson said. “I didn’t post anything or anything like that, but I was on the recruiting visit with [Giancarlo] Rosado. I wasn’t on the visit with [Kylan] Blackmon, but as soon as Rosado hit the portal, I was in contact with him. So, I was still helping even though I hadn’t made up my mind officially yet.”

Patterson said after talking to Rosado that he wanted to be teammates and strive to win an AAC title together. The fanbase was also an influence.

“It really made my decision easier hearing these guys talk with the coaches about their goals and what they wanted to accomplish,” Patterson said. “And, man, the fanbase here and how much they praise me is crazy. I just love the community here and I want to keep making the community proud.”

Fearne will lean heavily on Patterson in his second season as head coach. Patterson said he can do anything asked of him.

“Yeah, there will be a little more pressure,” he acknowledged. “I think it is something that I’m ready for going into my last year. It won’t be anything I haven’t seen before. It’s our second year in the American and I know what to expect and what coach is going to demand from me. I’m just ready for everything that comes my way.”

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