During his freshman year, he suffered an ankle injury in a game against Wichita State in November 2009 and missed the majority of the season, gaining a medical redshirt.

He finished the season on a high note, as he led the team to the 2012 College Basketball Invitational title.

Patterson returned for his senior season as the Panthers moved to the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Patterson enjoyed a breakout season as he was one of the top players in the league, raising his scoring average to 17.1 from 10.0 as a junior.

[3] At the close of the season, Patterson was named second team All-ACC by both the league's coaches and media.

On July 24, 2015, Patterson signed with the Atlanta Hawks after averaging 13.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.6 steals in seven Summer League games for the team.

[9] On October 27, 2015, he made his NBA debut, recording five points and two assists in a loss to the Detroit Pistons.

[14] On October 31, 2016, Patterson was acquired by the Reno Bighorns of the NBA Development League as an affiliate player of the Kings.

[39] In his first game back for the Bullets on April 7, he fouled out in the third quarter with just four points in an 88–82 win over the Illawarra Hawks.

[44] He then had a brief six-game stint in Puerto Rico with Cariduros de Fajardo[45] before re-joining the Rollers and helping them win the 2022 NBL North championship.

[46] In December 2022, Patterson signed with the South West Metro Pirates for the 2023 NBL1 North season.

[48] Patterson joined the Mumbai Titans of the Indian National Basketball League (INBL) for the 2025 season.