SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State men's basketball head coach Dana Ford announced today the addition of freshman combo guard Lu'Cye Patterson to the Bears roster for the 2020-21 season.
 
Patterson is a 6-2, 210-pound standout from Minneapolis, Minn. He signed a scholarship agreement with Missouri State this week to complete Missouri State's roster for the upcoming campaign.
 
He was part of a 25-9 run by Minnesota Prep Academy in 2020 as part of the Grind Circuit prep basketball league. He earned Grind Circuit All-Star and Offensive Player of the Year laurels as a senior and evolved into one of the top players in that conference under coach Blair Bivens. He averaged 21.2 points, 7.2 assists and 6.7 rebounds per game in 2019-20 while converting 84 percent of his free throws and 52 percent of his shots.
 
Patterson completed his high school career with 2,900 career points with over 800 rebounds and 800 assists. He led MPA to back to back elite eight finishes in the TGS after posting 21.1 points per game his junior season.
 
Prior to two seasons at Minnesota Prep, he helped Brooklyn Center High to a Class 2A fourth-place finish in the state of Minnesota in 2017-18, averaging 24.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game. He eclipsed 1,500 career points as a sophomore, posted 25.2 points per game in the state tournament, and helped his team to an upset win over top-ranked Minneapolis North. He was an all-conference selection his freshman season after compiling 18.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 2.1 steals per contest.
 
"We are excited to add Lu'Cye to our program," said Ford. "His ability to play multiple guard positions will add more versatility to our backcourt. That along with his toughness, basketball IQ and skill set make him a great fit for our final scholarship."
 
Patterson joins seven other MSU newcomers who signed National Letters of Intent during the spring signing period:

• Raphe Ayres (G, 6-6, 200, Fr., Arlington, Va., Vermont Academy)
• Dawson Carper (C, 7-0, 250, Jr., Colorado Springs, Colo., Rampart High, Univ. of Hawaii)
• Melvyn Ebonkoli (F, 6-7, 210, Fr., Trappes, France, Putnam [Conn.] Science Acad.)
• Keaton Hervey (G/F, 6-7, 190, Jr., Cedar Park, Texas, Cedar Park High, New Mexico Junior College)
• Demarcus Sharp (G, 6-4, 180, Jr., Charleston, Mo., Charleston High, Colby [Kan.] CC)
• Nic Tata (F, 6-10, 250, Jr., Melbourne, Australia, Mt. Eliza Secondary, Blinn (Texas) College)
• Skylar Wicks (G, 6-6, 200, Fr., Jersey City, N.J., Surge Christian Acad. [Fla.])

 
Ford also confirmed the addition of a pair of walk-on players for this season in local products Jake Branham and Elijah Bridgers.  Branham (G, 6-1, 170, Springfield Catholic High) played his freshman collegiate season at Central Methodist University and will practice with the Bears this winter while satisfying the NCAA transfer residency requirements. Bridgers (G, 6-2, 175, Kickapoo High) helped the Chiefs to a Missouri Class 5 semifinal appearance in 2020 and will be eligible as a freshman this year.