November 10, 2000

GREENVILLE -- Furman University head basketball coach Larry Davis announced today the signing of Lithonia, Ga., forward Jason Patterson to a national letter of intent.

Patterson, a 6-foot-4 product of Lithonia (Ga.) High School, joins 6-foot-7 forward Nick Sanders of Leavenworth, Kansas, in giving Furman two signees during the fall recruiting period.

"We're very pleased to sign Jason early because he gives us another solid, athletic backcourt player who can shoot the basketball," said Davis Friday afternoon. "We feel he is going to have a tremendous season and by the end of the year will be recognized as one of the top players in the state of Georgia."

Working as his squad's sixth man as a junior, Patterson averaged 7.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game as on a Lithonia team that posted a 24-7 record and finished as state AAA runner-up. This past summer he averaged 16.0 points in 12 AAU games with Team Carolina and the Atlanta Celtics. He carries a 3.947 grade point average and serves as president of his senior class.

Patterson joins Paladin sophomore forward Kenny Zeigler in giving Furman two Lithonia High products in the Paladin program.