21 Facts About Ruben Patterson

Ruben Nathaniel Patterson was born on July 31,1975 and is an American former professional basketball player.

Ruben Patterson had a troubled family life, both parents and one of his sisters battled drug addiction, and his father spent time in prison.

Ruben Patterson started off his college basketball career in the small town of Independence, Kansas at the Independence Community College.

Ruben Patterson was a second-round selection of the 1998 NBA Draft, chosen by the Los Angeles Lakers.

Ruben Patterson later played for the Lakers, the Seattle SuperSonics, the Portland Trail Blazers, the Denver Nuggets, the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Los Angeles Clippers, averaging a career 10.7 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.

Ruben Patterson nicknamed himself the "Kobe Stopper" after claiming he could play strong defense against NBA superstar Kobe Bryant.

Ruben Patterson left the Lakers for Seattle on August 10,1999, as a free agent.

Ruben Patterson quickly became known as a solid defensive player and a good shooter, finishing fourth in the league in field goal percentage.

Ruben Patterson finished his second season in Seattle after starting 74 of 81 games, and third on the team in scoring with 13.6 points per game.

Ruben Patterson was punched in the face by teammate Zach Randolph during a practice.

Ruben Patterson later explained his outburst, saying he was frustrated and it was "like the devil hit me and told me to get it out".

Ruben Patterson demanded that he get at least 25 minutes per game or be traded.

In February 2006, Ruben Patterson was traded to the Denver Nuggets.

In Milwaukee, Ruben Patterson posted the best numbers of his career with 14.7 points, 2.9 assists and 31.0 minutes per game.

Ruben Patterson was waived by the Clippers on December 13,2007.

Ruben Patterson was involved in a number of off-the-court issues during his basketball career.

In February 2001, Ruben Patterson was convicted of misdemeanor assault for attacking a man who scratched his car outside a Cleveland, Ohio night club.

Ruben Patterson was arrested in 2002 for felony domestic abuse charges on his wife.

In March 2010, Ruben Patterson was arrested in Hamilton County, Ohio on DUI charges after it was found that his blood alcohol level was.

Ruben Patterson was sentenced to a $500 fine and a three-day driving program, and was ordered not to consume alcohol for 18 months.

In 2019, Ruben Patterson plead guilty to charges of unpaid child support.