Kentucky's Patterson withdraws from NBA draft

Patrick Patterson told Kentucky Friday he has withdrawn his name from the NBA draft and will return to the Wildcats for his junior season.

Patterson's decision has the potential to catapult Kentucky and new coach John Calipari into the 2010 national title race.

Patterson, a 6-foot-9 forward, is arguably the top returning forward in the SEC after averaging 17.9 points and 9.3 rebounds for Billy Gillispie this past season. Patterson was projected as a first-round pick in the June 25 draft. The NBA's deadline to withdraw from the draft is June 15.

Patterson was second on the team in scoring behind junior guard Jodie Meeks.

"I want to help Kentucky compete for a national title, and even more than that win its eighth national championship," Patterson said in a statement released by the school. "I'm also really excited about playing for coach Cal and developing my game in the dribble drive offense."