Justin Nicholas Patton (born June 14, 1997) is an American professional

basketball Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular Basketball court, court, compete with the primary objective of #Shooting, shooting a basketball (ball), basketball (appro ...

player for the Cangrejeros de Santurce of the

Baloncesto Superior Nacional The Baloncesto Superior Nacional, abbreviated as BSN, is the first-tier-level professional men's basketball list of basketball leagues, league in Puerto Rico. It was founded in 1929 and is organized by the Puerto Rican Basketball Federation. T ...

(BSN). He played

college basketball College basketball is basketball that is played by teams of Student athlete, student-athletes at universities and colleges. In the Higher education in the United States, United States, colleges and universities are governed by collegiate athle ...

for the

Creighton Bluejays The Creighton Bluejays, or Jays, are the athletic teams that represent Creighton University, a Jesuit/Catholic University in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. They compete in NCAA Division I in the Big East Conference. Sports sponsored Base ...

. Patton was selected with the 16th overall pick in the

2017 NBA draft The 2017 NBA draft was held on June 22, 2017, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. National Basketball Association (NBA) teams took turns selecting U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players, including international players. ...

by the

Chicago Bulls The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago. The Bulls compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference. The team was founded on January 16 ...

, but was traded to the

Minnesota Timberwolves The Minnesota Timberwolves (often referred to as the Wolves or T-wolves) are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis. The Timberwolves compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Northwest Divisio ...

. He has also played for the

Philadelphia 76ers The Philadelphia 76ers, also known colloquially as the Sixers, are an American professional basketball team based in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. The 76ers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlan ...

and

Oklahoma City Thunder The Oklahoma City Thunder are an American professional basketball team based in Oklahoma City. The Thunder compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Northwest Division (NBA), Northwest Division of the Western Confer ...

. In 2021–22, he led the

Israeli Basketball Premier League Ligat HaAl (, lit., ''Supreme League or Premier League''), or the Israeli Basketball Premier League, is a professional basketball league in Israel and the highest level of basketball in the country. The league's name is abbreviated as either BSL ...

in blocks per game.

Early life and education

Patton was born to Tora Patton. He has three siblings, Terrel Steen, Kendall Patton, and Raven Bryson. He was a social work major at Creighton, and is the cousin of Creighton's former basketball player Donnie Johnson.

High school career

Patton attended

Omaha North High School Omaha North High Magnet School is a public high school located at 4410 North 36th Street in the city of Omaha, Nebraska. The school is a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) magnet school in the Omaha Public Schools district ...

Omaha, Nebraska Omaha ( ) is the List of cities in Nebraska, most populous city in the U.S. state of Nebraska. It is located in the Midwestern United States along the Missouri River, about north of the mouth of the Platte River. The nation's List of United S ...

. He played with the Omaha Sports Academy Crusaders on the AAU circuit. He was rated by Scout.com as a five-star recruit and was recruited by

Creighton University Creighton University () is a private research university in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1878, the university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. In 2015 the university enrolled 8,393 graduate ...

basketball.

College career

Patton

redshirted Redshirt, in United States college athletics, is a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen their period of eligibility. Typically, a student's athletic eligibility in a given sport is four seasons, aligning with the ...

his first year at Creighton in 2015.

Greg McDermott Greg McDermott (born November 25, 1964) is an American basketball coach who has been the head coach of the Creighton Bluejays men's basketball, Creighton Bluejays men's basketball team since 2010. Previously, McDermott served as the head coach a ...

, his coach, had considered a redshirt for many different reasons. Patton was young for a freshman and still needed to develop his game. Patton also would have to play limited minutes behind Creighton's other big, 7-foot-center Geoff Groselle. McDermott believed that Patton needed to learn how to compete at this level, and learn the importance of a healthy diet and sleep. In his first college game in 2016, he scored 12 points and had eight rebounds. He scored a season high 25 points against St. John's on January 4. 2017. He had 13 straight games in double-figures before breaking it in a loss against Xavier on February 4, 2017. During his freshman season he was named Big East Freshman of the Year, and Second Team All-Big East. On April 5, 2017, Patton relinquished his college eligibility by declaring for the NBA draft and signing with an agent.

Professional career

Minnesota Timberwolves (2017–2018)

Patton was selected by the

with the 16th pick in the

. On draft night his rights were traded to the

along with Jimmy Butler in exchange for

Zach LaVine Zachary Thomas LaVine ( ; born March 10, 1995) is an American professional basketball player for the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was selected in the first round of the 2014 NBA draft with the 13th overall p ...

, Kris Dunn, and the draft rights to Lauri Markkanen, the seventh pick. On July 4, 2017, Patton signed with the Timberwolves. Patton was to participate in the 2017 NBA Summer League, however, he suffered an injury during the workout and underwent an immediate surgery to repair his broken left foot, and was sidelined indefinitely. Patton made his NBA debut on April 1, 2018, against the

Utah Jazz The Utah Jazz are an American professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City. The Jazz compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference. Since the 1991–92 season, the ...

, scoring two points on two shots and made one steal in his only game with the Timberwolves. Patton remained with the team for the rest of their season. On April 18, 2018, Patton underwent surgery on his left foot to encourage further healing of the injury he suffered the previous summer. The team announced he would be sidelined indefinitely. Patton spent the majority of his rookie season with the

Iowa Wolves The Iowa Wolves are an American professional basketball team in the NBA G League based in Des Moines, Iowa, and are affiliated with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Wolves play their home games at the Wells Fargo Arena and compete in the Western ...

, and started in 38 games, while averaging 12.7 points and 5.4 rebounds in 23.2 minutes per game. On September 18, 2018, Patton underwent surgery for a broken right foot.

Philadelphia 76ers (2018–2019)

On November 12, 2018, Patton was traded, along with Jimmy Butler, to the

in exchange for Robert Covington,

Dario Šarić Dario Šarić (; born 8 April 1994) is a Croatian professional basketball player for the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was selected with the 12th overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft. He also represents the senior ...

, Jerryd Bayless, and a 2022 second-round draft pick. On April 3, 2019, Patton was waived by the 76ers after appearing in 3 games.

Oklahoma City Thunder (2019–2020)

On August 13, 2019, Patton signed with the Thunder. On January 14, 2020, while on assignment for the

Oklahoma City Blue The Oklahoma City Blue are an American professional basketball team based in Oklahoma City and are affiliated with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Blue compete in the NBA G League as members of the Western Conference. The Blue play their home games ...

, Patton scored a G League-high 45 points to go with 13 rebounds, nine assists, and six blocks in a 149–140 win over the

South Bay Lakers The South Bay Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, that competes in the NBA G League. Founded in 2006 as the Los Angeles D-Fenders, the team is owned by the Los Angeles Lakers, who were the first ...

. On January 24, 2020, Patton was traded to the

Dallas Mavericks The Dallas Mavericks (often referred to as the Mavs) are an American professional basketball team based in Dallas. The Mavericks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southwest Division (NBA), Southwest Divisi ...

in exchange for Isaiah Roby and cash considerations. He was waived the next day when the team obtained

Willie Cauley-Stein Willie Trill Cauley-Stein (born Willie Durmond Cauley Jr.; August 18, 1993) is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Nanjing Monkey Kings of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). He played college basketball with ...

Wisconsin Herd (2020)

On February 20, 2020, the

Wisconsin Herd The Wisconsin Herd are an American professional basketball team in the NBA G League based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and are affiliated with the Milwaukee Bucks. The Herd play their home games at Oshkosh Arena. History On June 29, 2016, it was anno ...

announced that they had acquired Patton off waivers. Patton played seven games for the Herd before the season was ended early due to the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...

. He averaged 12 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game with the team. On June 26, 2020, the

Detroit Pistons The Detroit Pistons are an American professional basketball team based in Detroit. The Pistons compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division (NBA), Central Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), East ...

announced they had signed Patton. Without appearing in an official game with the Pistons, on November 19, 2020, Patton was traded to the

Los Angeles Clippers The Los Angeles Clippers are an American professional basketball team based in the Greater Los Angeles area. The Clippers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. The ...

in a three-team trade. He was waived without appearing in a game for the team. On December 3, 2020, Patton was signed to a training camp deal by the

Milwaukee Bucks The Milwaukee Bucks are an American professional basketball team based in Milwaukee. The Bucks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division (NBA), Central Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), East ...

. He was waived on December 17.

Westchester Knicks (2021)

On January 11, 2021, Patton was selected ninth overall by the

Westchester Knicks The Westchester Knicks are an American professional basketball team in the NBA G League based in White Plains, New York, and are affiliated with the New York Knicks. The Knicks play their home games at Westchester County Center in White Plains, N ...

in the first 2021 NBA G League draft.

Houston Rockets (2021)

On February 19, 2021, the

Houston Rockets The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston. The Rockets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southwest Division (NBA), Southwest Division of the Western Conference (NBA) ...

signed Patton to a two-way contract with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. However, he was waived on April 3.

Hapoel Eilat (2021–2022)

On August 26, 2021, Patton signed with Hapoel Eilat of the

. In 2021–22, he led the league in blocks average, averaging 1.6 per game.

Cholet Basket (2022–2023)

On August 3, 2022, Patton signed with Cholet Basket of the French

LNB Pro A LNB may refer to: Sport * Liga Nacional de Baloncesto, a professional basketball league in the Dominican Republic * Liga Nacional de Básquetbol, an Argentine basketball league * Liga Nacional de Básquetbol (Paraguay), Liga Nacional de Básquetb ...

Shanxi Loongs (2023)

On September 1, 2023, Patton signed with Shanxi Loongs of the

Chinese Basketball Association The Chinese Basketball Association (), often abbreviated as the CBA, is the first-tier men's professional basketball league in China. The league is commonly known by fans as the CBA, and this acronym is even used in Chinese on a regular basis ...

Taipei Fubon Braves (2024)

On January 14, 2024, Patton signed with the Taipei Fubon Braves of the P. League+. On March 15, he was released by the team.

Indios de San Francisco de Macorís (2024)

On June 13, 2024, Patton signed with the Indios de San Francisco de Macorís of the

Liga Nacional de Baloncesto The Liga Nacional de Baloncesto (LNB) is the top men's professional basketball league in the Dominican Republic. Established in 2005, six teams compete annually between September and October. History The league was founded on September 6, 2004 ...

Peristeri (2024)

On August 7, 2024, Patton signed with the

Peristeri Peristeri (Greek language, Greek: Περιστέρι, meaning "pigeon/dove" in Greek) is a city and a suburban municipality in the western part of the Athens#Athens Urban Area, Athens agglomeration, Greece. With 133,630 inhabitants (2021 census), ...

of the

Greek Basketball League The Greek Basketball League (GBL), and also known as the Stoiximan Greek Basketball League (GBL) for sponsorship reasons, is the first tier level professional basketball league in Greece. It is run by the Hellenic Basketball Associat ...

Liaoning Flying Leopards (2024–2025)

On December 31, 2024, Patton signed with the Liaoning Flying Leopards of the Chinese Basketball Association.

Career statistics

NBA

Regular season

, - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

Minnesota Minnesota ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Upper Midwestern region of the United States. It is bordered by the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Ontario to the north and east and by the U.S. states of Wisconsin to the east, Iowa to the so ...

, 1 , , 0 , , 4.0 , , .500 , , — , , — , , .0 , , .0 , , 1.0 , , .0 , , 2.0 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

Philadelphia Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...

, 3 , , 0 , , 7.0 , , .286 , , .000 , , .500 , , 2.0 , , 1.0 , , .7 , , .0 , , 1.7 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

Oklahoma City Oklahoma City (), officially the City of Oklahoma City, and often shortened to OKC, is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Oklahoma, most populous city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The county seat ...

, 5 , , 0 , , 4.8 , , .400 , , .250 , , — , , 1.0 , , .4 , , .0 , , .0 , , 1.8 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

Houston Houston ( ) is the List of cities in Texas by population, most populous city in the U.S. state of Texas and in the Southern United States. Located in Southeast Texas near Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, it is the county seat, seat of ...

, 13 , , 6 , , 19.0 , , .414 , , .265 , , .750 , , 3.8 , , 1.1 , , .9 , , 1.1 , , 5.4 , - class="sortbottom" , style="text-align:center;" colspan="2", Career , 22 , , 6 , , 13.8 , , .404 , , .250 , , .667 , , 2.7 , , .9 , , .7 , , .6 , , 3.9

NBA G League

Regular season

, - , style="text-align:left;", 2017–18 , style="text-align:left;",

Iowa Iowa ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the upper Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. It borders the Mississippi River to the east and the Missouri River and Big Sioux River to the west; Wisconsin to the northeast, Ill ...

, 38 , , 28 , , 23.1 , , .476 , , .300 , , .764 , , 5.4 , , 1.6 , , 1.0 , , 1.3 , , 12.7 , - , style="text-align:left;", 2018–19 , style="text-align:left;",

Delaware Delaware ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic states, South Atlantic regions of the United States. It borders Maryland to its south and west, Pennsylvania to its north, New Jersey ...

, 11 , , 2 , , 18.5 , , .500 , , .167 , , .625 , , 5.6 , , 1.6 , , .9 , , 2.0 , , 8.7 , - class="sortbottom" , style="text-align:center;" colspan="2", Career , 49 , , 30 , , 22.1 , , .480 , , .286 , , .735 , , 5.4 , , 1.6 , , 1.0 , , 1.5 , , 11.8

College

, - , style="text-align:left;", 2016–17 , style="text-align:left;", Creighton , 35 , , 34 , , 25.3 , , .676 , , .533 , , .517 , , 6.2 , , 1.2 , , .9 , , 1.4 , , 12.9

Player profile

At 7'0, 250 pounds, with a 7'2 ½ wingspan, Patton was initially recruited to Creighton as a defensive center. He is a strong rim-runner, and his passing ability has been compared to that of Vlade Divac. He is able to effectively play above the rim, as a strong finisher. He has sometimes struggled with positioning for rebounds. He is sometimes late to challenge shots at the basket, and sometimes needlessly swipes at the ball, which leads to foul trouble.

References

External links

Creighton Bluejays bio
{{DEFAULTSORT:Patton, Justin 1997 births Living people 21st-century African-American sportsmen 21st-century American sportsmen American expatriate basketball people in China American expatriate basketball people in the Dominican Republic American expatriate basketball people in France American expatriate basketball people in Greece American expatriate basketball people in Israel American expatriate basketball people in Taiwan American men's basketball players Basketball players from Omaha, Nebraska Centers (basketball) Chicago Bulls draft picks Cholet Basket players Creighton Bluejays men's basketball players Delaware Blue Coats players Hapoel Eilat basketball players Houston Rockets players Indios de San Francisco de Macorís players Iowa Wolves players Minnesota Timberwolves players Oklahoma City Blue players Oklahoma City Thunder players Omaha North High School alumni Peristeri B.C. players Philadelphia 76ers players P. League+ imports Shanxi Loongs players Taipei Fubon Braves players Westchester Knicks players Wisconsin Herd players Liaoning Flying Leopards players Cangrejeros de Santurce basketball players