A 6'9" center for UCLA, Patterson spent his first year of athletic eligibility (1968-69, the third of the Bruins' unprecedented string of seven consecutive national titles) as the backup to Lew Alcindor, later Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

[2][3] Patterson was UCLA's starting center in the seasons between Alcindor and Bill Walton, and part of the Bruins' string of seven consecutive NCAA titles.

[5][6] In 1969–70 he was joined in the starting lineup by four other future NBA players, forwards Sidney Wicks and Curtis Rowe and guards Henry Bibby and John Vallely.

"[9] In 1971, he helped lead the Bruins to another national title with the same starting lineup, except for Kenny Booker replacing the graduated Vallely, as Patterson averaged 12.9 points and 9.8 rebounds per game.

[16][17][18] Patterson showed ability as an inside defender and rebounder, but also battled knee problems and never reached his potential as an NBA player.

However, he had his most productive year as primarily a starter in his third season, 1973–74, when he played over 25 minutes per game and averaged 7.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists, all career highs.

[20] During the 1975–76 season—his fifth and final NBA season—after playing 14 games for the Cavaliers, on November 27, 1975, he was traded along with Eric Fernsten to the Chicago Bulls for Nate Thurmond and Rowland Garrett.

[23] Patterson spent the last years of his life organizing youth and community sports programs in Arizona, including as founder of the Grand Canyon State Games.