6-foot-4 guard Marcus Patterson just wrapped up his first professional season with Portimonense SC, a first-tier team in Portugal. It was a successful season, as the Bronx, NY native was the third-leading scorer in the league with 22 ppg. He was named All Portuguese First Division All-Import Team and All Portuguese First Division Second Team. The guard also finished seventh in the league’s most valuable player voting.
Patterson played his college ball at The Sage Colleges, a divison-three school in Albany, NY. Patterson was a 1000 point scorer and in his senior year averaged 17.7 points and 7.5 rebounds. The guard was named the Gator of the Year as the team’s most valuable player.
Following his stellar senior year, an organization named the International Sports Recruitment (ISR) reached out and presented an opportunity the Bronx native couldn’t pass up. Patterson would make a move to England and continue his athletic career while receiving his master’s degree in Psychology.
Patterson would attend the University of East London and play for the school’s first-tier men’s basketball team. The school would participate in the British Universities and College Sports (BUCS). He would also go on to become a member of the East London All-Stars in the England National Basketball League.
The University of East London experiences some success in Patterson’s lone season. They reached the semifinals before suffering their first home loss of the season. Patterson was thankful for the experience that he had gotten while playing in England and getting his master’s degree.
“My experience with my teammates has been great; they made my basketball experience unforgettable.”
After finishing up with the University of East London, the 6-foot-4 guard continued the season in the English NBL with the East London All-Stars. The school is partnered with the London Lions, which allowed Patterson to practice with the top tier team. The Bronx, NY native played well in practices and ultimately sprained his ankle which prevented him from a playing opportunity with the Lions.
The injuries hampered Patterson, ultimately preventing him from finishing the season with the All-Stars. He then decided to take the following year off and work on his craft. This led to an opportunity with Portimonense SC in Portugal.
Patterson’s first season was cut short by COVID-19, but extremely successful. He is not under contract for next season just yet but is open to all options, including returning the Portuguese club.