One of Brooklyn’s best girls’ basketball players is leaving for greener pastures in Queens, according to her father.
Medgar Evers sophomore wing Danielle Patterson will be transferring to Mary Louis this fall, he said. Patterson is arguably the best player in her class in New York City. She has scholarship interest from a host of Division I schools, including UConn. Huskies coach Geno Auriemma came to watch Patterson play for the Cougars this season.
Patterson’s father Lamont said the family sat down after the season to discuses whether they wanted to return to Medgar Evers or move on to a new situation. They decided on change across the board.
His daughter will also be switching travel hoops teams. Patterson is moving from the Philly Belles to the New Jersey Sparks. The family decided it wants to expose Patterson to playing against what in their opinion is better competition than when she saw in the Public School Athletic League.
“I want her to play against better talent,” Lamont Patterson said.
Suiting up for coach JoAnn Arbitello-Pinnock at Mary Louis in the Brooklyn-Queens league will be a step up in the eyes of the family. Brooklyn-Queens is considered one of the most competitive leagues in the country and has produced four McDonald’s All-Americans in the last five years.
“I have known coach Arbitello for a while and I like her coaching style,” Lamont Patterson said. “I said, ‘you know what, we will give it a shot and give it a try.’ ”
Lamont Patterson was happy with the school’s academics, which he stressed was more important than hoops, and liked that idea of Mary Louis being an all-girls school. Mary Louis was a school Patterson considered before enrolling in Medgar Evers as a freshman. She will be able to play right away because of the league’s updated transfer rules that no longer requires a change of address from a student-athlete coming from a New York City public school.
He insisted that Medgar Evers’ lack of success during his daughter’s two seasons there was not the main motivation for transferring. The Cougars went 8–23 in league play and did not win a playoff game. Patterson averaged 16.5 points and 6.9 rebounds. Medgar Evers coach Mike Toro declined comment.
“We don’t chase winning situations,” Lamont Patterson said. “We never have chased winning situations, and being at Medgar Evers the last couple of years proves that.”
His daughter joins a Mary Louis team on the cusp of being a real contender for a diocesan title. The Hilltoppers lost to champions Christ the King by two points in the semifinals and lose just one starter. The Hilltoppers feature one of the city best guards in Jasmine Brunson. Arbitello-Pinnock said she is excited about Patterson joining her roster.
“I think that we will be a good team with her,” Arbitello said. “She is a nice addition, a really nice kid. Something that wasn’t expected, but definitely something that we can use.”
Lamont Patterson said his daughter is excited about the opportunity ahead of her. She thanked her former school on Twitter shortly after the news of her departure broke.
“To the Staff, my coaches, my team mates and the Students at MECPS, I thank you and I’m going to miss you guys,” she wrote. “Wish You the Best.”
