Former UCLA center Steve Patterson passed away Wednesday at the
age of 56 from lung cancer. The 6-foot-9 Patterson, survived by his
wife Carlette Patterson of Phoenix, captured three national
championships playing under former Bruins coach John Wooden.
“Steve Patterson was a mirror image of what UCLA
basketball under John Wooden was all about,” UCLA coach Ben
Howland said in a statement. “The history of UCLA basketball
is shaken with the news of Steve’s death. Our thoughts and
prayers are with his family.”
Patterson was diagnosed with lung cancer June 30 after
experiencing low back pain. For the past month, Patterson underwent
chemotherapy, among other treatments. But the tumors already had
spread by the time of diagnosis.
“We appreciate all of the kindness extended to Steve, me
and the family during this time of struggle,” said Carlette
via a statement released on Patterson’s Web site,
www.stevepatterson.net.
Patterson played from 1969 to 1971, effectively becoming known
as the center to come after Kareem Abdul-Jabbar ““ then known
as Lew Alcindor ““ and before Bill Walton. He had his best
season as a junior, averaging 12.5 points and 10 rebounds. In
arguably his best game in a Bruin uniform he scored a career-high
29 points and grabbed eight rebounds en route to a 68-62 win over
Villanova in the 1971 national championship game. At the time, it
was UCLA’s fifth consecutive national title.
“We had many good times at UCLA, and I really enjoyed
playing with him on some great Bruin teams,” former teammate
and current USC coach Henry Bibby said. “I remember the day
when Coach Wooden gave him the name “˜Cat
Man.'”
Patterson was purportedly dubbed “Cat Man” for his
late night ventures.
Following his collegiate career, Patterson was drafted by the
Cleveland Cavaliers and played four seasons with them before
finishing his career with the Chicago Bulls in 1975.
Following his five seasons in the NBA, Patterson became Arizona
State’s head coach from 1985 to 1989 before resigning with a
48-56 record. He later served as a chairman for Super Bowl XXX in
Tempe, Ariz., and was commissioner of the Continental Basketball
Association.
Patterson was always known for his upbeat personality and was
heavily involved in youth and community sports programs through his
company, Patterson Sports Ventures. He was also involved with the
Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority, the Arizona Interscholastic
Association and the Tempe Sports Authority.
“He was always an upbeat, happy guy, always smiling and
saying positive things all the time,” former teammate Kenny
Booker told the Los Angeles Daily News. “Steve was a real
optimist. He put a positive spin on just about anything.”
Following the funeral service in Arizona, Patterson is expected
to be buried Wednesday at the San Carlos Cemetery in Monterey.