Prep forward Danielle Patterson commits to Notre Dame women's hoops

When Danielle Patterson was 5 years old, walking to and from school every day with her father came with a basketball.

“I lived about 15 or 20 blocks from my school,” she said of her Brooklyn, N.Y., home. “One block I’d dribble with my left hand. One block I’d dribble with my right.”

She kept that up until middle school. By then, she was pretty good. Real good, in fact. She grew, and the rest of her game has fallen into place.

Heading into her senior year at The Mary Louis Academy in Jamaica, N.Y., the 6-foot-3 Patterson is ranked by ESPN as the No. 30 player overall in her class and the 10th best forward.

That pedigree, a solid work ethic, and a 3.8 GPA all factored into her choosing the Notre Dame women’s basketball program for her next stop. She chose the Irish Wednesday over hometown St. John’s, Virginia and Tennessee.

Per NCAA rules, Irish coach Muffet McGraw isn't allowed to comment on any recruits until they have signed a letter-of-intent.

“People always told me when you find the right place you’ll know it,” said Patterson, who visited Notre Dame last week with her parents. “I felt so comfortable with the coaches and the girls on the team.”

Patterson averaged 22 points and 10 rebounds as The Mary Louis Academy posted a 19-7 record last season. They’ve added a couple quality guards this year and are preparing for a run to the Brooklyn-Queens Championship Game.

“Danielle is a phenomenal young lady,” said Mary Louis coach JoAnn Pinnock. “Notre Dame is getting an all-around student-athlete.

“Her height and her athleticism make her special on the court. She has an inside-outside game.”

It’s the outside game that has been developed the most recently.

“She’s even shooting some 3s,” said Bret McCormick, recruiting analyst for All-Star Girls Report. “She’s super-talented and has a great work ethic. When she’s done with college, I think she’ll be a pro.”

“I’ve really put an emphasis on my mid-range game,” Patterson said. “I want to be a more consistent player who can go inside and outside.”

She just giggled at the suggestion she might be launching some 3-pointers this season.

“The best thing about Danielle is how she works every day,” Pinnock said. “Improving her mid-range game is a goal of hers.

“She’s focused on wanting to make the people around her do well. She’s always positive and encouraging. She’s a great asset to any team.”