Houston Rockets select Kentucky forward Patrick Patterson

Rockets pick Kentucky F Patterson

HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets have selected Kentucky forward Patrick Patterson with the 14th pick in the NBA draft.

The 6-foot-9 Patterson averaged 14.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks as a junior last season. Patterson initially entered the 2009 draft, then decided to return to school when John Calipari was hired to replace the fired Billy Gillispie.

Patterson was the third Kentucky player taken in the first 14 picks. John Wall was taken first overall by Washington, and DeMarcus Cousins was selected fifth by Sacramento.

The Rockets went 42-40 and missed the playoffs last season. All-Star center Yao Ming is expected to return healthy from foot surgery this year, and Patterson would bring much-needed bulk off the bench.