Patrick Patterson (basketball)
A dependable, blue-collar forward whose intelligence and professionalism made him a valued teammate on playoff contenders for a decade.
Born 1989 (age 37)·American basketball player·Birthday: March 14·Millennials
Biography
Patrick Patterson's NBA journey was defined by reliability and a sharp basketball IQ. A standout at Kentucky, where he matured into a leader under John Calipari, he was a first-round pick by the Houston Rockets. Patterson never became a star, but he carved out an 11-year career as the kind of player coaches trust and contenders need. He was a stretch power forward before it was fully in vogue, spacing the floor with a consistent corner three-pointer and playing smart, positional defense. His most significant chapter came with the Toronto Raptors, where he was a key rotation piece during the team's rise to Eastern Conference relevance, providing steady minutes and veteran presence for a young core that included Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Patrick was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Patrick Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Patrick's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Played 11 seasons in the NBA for five different franchises.
- Was a key rotation player for the Toronto Raptors during their run of consecutive playoff appearances in the 2010s.
- Selected in the first round (14th overall) of the 2010 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets.
- Averaged a career-high 11.6 points per game with the Sacramento Kings in the 2013-14 season.
Did You Know?
He earned a degree in telecommunications from the University of Kentucky.
He hosts a podcast called 'The Press Ball' with former teammate Matt Barnes.
He was known for having one of the more meticulous pre-game shooting routines in the league.
He played for the same AAU team (Boogie Williams) as fellow NBA player O.J. Mayo.
“My job was to stretch the floor, defend, and be ready when my number was called.”
