Patton’s Army: USC transfer, brother join UNM roster
Kevin Patton Jr dunks a ball during a game for the USC Trojans during the 2025-26 season. Kevin and his brother Kallai, join UNM head men’s basketball coach Eric Olen for the 2025-26 season. Photo courtesy of USC Athletics
Oh, brother!
Kallai and Kevin Patton Jr bring athleticism, playmaking and instant chemistry to new UNM head men’s basketball coach and the Lobos’ roster.
Both annoucned they joined UNM on social media on Monday.
The brothers have played side-by-side since Kevin Jr.’s sophomore year of high school, when they helped lead AZ Compass Prep to a CAA Open Division title in Arizona.
The following year, the duo transferred to Maricopa High School and immediately made their mark.
They led the Rams to an 18-game win streak that was eventually snapped by Mountain Pointe. That game featured future Lobo Tru Washington score 26 points in a 72-47 win over Kevin and a 24-point performance.
Still, their lone season at Maricopa was more impactful than anyone expected.
“Before I even had a chance to work with them, I could tell what high-character young men they both were,” former Maricopa head coach Paul Gretkierewicz told AZCentral. “I could see they had a very high IQ for the game and a winning mentality.”
The Pattons helped turn around a Maricopa program that had won just eight games over the previous three years, They led Maricopa to a 24-5 record and a 6A state tournament berth.
“Both brothers are great teammates and leaders on and off the floor,” Gretkierewicz said.
The next season, the Pattons transferred to Rancho Christian in Temecula, Calif., where they helped the team finish 24-11 and go 7-1 in league play.
Off the court, they made just as strong an impression.
“They’re not only stars on the floor but also in the classroom,” said Gretkierewicz. “Kevin is a 4.0 student and Kallai is also an honor roll student.”
Kevin committed to San Diego despite offers from Washington State, Northern Arizona, Santa Clara, and Rice.
In his freshman year, he started 16-of-30 games, earned West Coast Conference Freshman of the Week honors four times and made the All-WCC Freshman Team.
Kallai wrapped up his senior season by leading Rancho Christian to back-to-back titles while averaging 10 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 3.5 steals and 2 blocks per game.
After a standout freshman season, Kevin entered the transfer portal, where he ranked No. 155 nationally. He became the tenth player to commit to USC.
Kallai chose to walk on and redshirt at USC to play alongside his brother once again.
That move now benefits UNM, as he joins the Lobos on scholarship with all four years of eligibility remaining.
With chemistry years in the making and skills that complement each other on both ends of the floor, the Patton brothers arrive in Albuquerque not just as teammates—but as a proven duo with a track record of turning programs around.
Under Olen, they’re ready to bring that same spark to The Pit.
