McDonald?s All-American Patrick Patterson signed a national letter of intent with Kentucky Wednesday, becoming head coach Billy Gillispie?s second All-America signee since arriving in Lexington last month.

Patterson, a native of Huntington, W.Va., played at Huntington High School. Rated the No. 2 power forward and No. 15 prospect overall in the Class of 2007 by Rivals.com, Patterson ended a lengthy recruiting process by signing with the Wildcats on the final day of the signing period.

?This is a great day for Kentucky basketball,? said Gillispie. ?We?re fortunate to get a player with Patrick?s abilities. He?s an outstanding player and a great addition to our roster.

?We?re grateful he chose to extend his recruitment to the last day of the signing period because it gave us a chance to develop a relationship and that?s the most important part of recruiting. Obviously, it was a family decision, and a well thought out one. I?m glad he chose Kentucky.?

Patterson is strong low-post player who, as a senior at Huntington High, averaged 17.0 points, 12.0 rebounds and 4.0 blocks per game. Throughout his prep career, Patterson averaged at least 16.0 ppg a year to go along with 12.0 rpg.

Patterson joins Parade All-American Alex Legion (Detroit, Mich.), who signed with Kentucky last month, and A.J. Stewart (Jacksonville, Fla.) and Mike Williams (Solihull, England), who both signed last fall during the early signing period, as members of UK?s 2007 signing class.