Coach Speak: What Syracuse is Getting in William Patterson
All Syracuse caught up with New Heights AAU Basketball Director Rahme Anderson to learn more about Syracuse basketball's latest commitment in 2023 center prospect William Patterson.
What is Syracuse getting in William Patterson?
Anderson: "He's a great rim runner, he's very athletic, he has a 7-6 wing span. I think him in the middle of the zone, learning the nuances of what coach expects of him, I think he could be a dual threat out there. His potential is very high."
Where have you seen improvement over the last couple of years?
Anderson: "His skill set, his fundamentals and his touch. He has a lot of untapped potential that people haven't seen as much as I've seen because I'm around him a lot. I train him a lot. I'm very impressed by his touch around the rim and the way he runs the floor."
What's the biggest key for him to get ready for the next level?
Anderson: "I think he has to run his own race and get started immediately. As soon as the first summer session opens up, he needs to be on campus eating and working and asking for more work. I think that's what he's accustomed to back home. He's excited to get somewhere where he can get the highest level of training. Right now, I think physically, he needs to catchup to the rest of the league. So I think that will take some time. With Will, you're getting a hard working kid that's definitely going to be that late bloomer that people slept on. I think there's an opportunity for him at Syracuse and he just has to go grab it. He loves the process. He loves going through recovery, workouts, individuals, campus life. He has to embrace the whole thing. I think he's going to be a fan favorite there."
Do you see the potential for him to follow the same developmental path of a Jesse Edwards?
Anderson: "I coached Moses Brown (UCLA, several NBA teams) before William. I coached him since middle school just like William. I think with big guys, the process is a little slower. Just have patience and keep working with him. I've had a prerequisite in Moses to know what it takes to have a high level big. Watching Jesse and working with a guy like Moses and other division one bigs that I've coached in the past, I think William is doing the work behind the scenes that's really going to help him long term. I see a lot of similarities with him and Jesse. I think if he stays, he will be a great mentor to William. But even if he leaves, I think they'll still be in contact and he can get pointers from him on the expectations and what he should be doing."
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