Worthy Patterson: UConn's First NBA Player Who Broke Barriers In Pro Basketball
Discover the inspiring story of Worthy Patterson, the first UConn basketball player to reach the NBA. Learn how he made history with the St. Louis Hawks and contributed to breaking racial barriers in pro sports.
Jul 25, 202512.2K Shares349.4K Views
Born in Greenwich, Connecticut, in 1931, Worthy Pattersonbecame a true pioneer for UConn basketball and for Black athletes in sports. Playing for the Huskies from 1951 to 1954, he made history as the first Black captain of any team at UConn and powered his team to three straight Yankee Conference titles. His iconic game-winner in 1954 against Holy Cross broke the Crusaders’ long home winning streak and secured his place in school lore. Patterson went on to become UConn’s first NBA player, joining the St. Louis Hawks in 1957, long before the school became a basketball powerhouse. After basketball, he built a successful career in music publishing with major labels like RCA and Warner Brothers.
Early Life
Worthington R. Patterson Jr. was born on June 17, 1931, in New Haven, Connecticut. He grew up in Greenwich and first learned to play basketball at the Boys Club in Greenwich, Connecticut, where he went every day after school and practiced dribbling, passing, and shooting.
He attended Greenwich High School from 1946 to 1950 and played alongside future UConn teammates. After high school, he spent one year at The Tilton School in New Hampshire and played under Coach Weldon Haire. That prep school year helped attract attention from college coaches, leading him to choose the University of Connecticut to continue his basketball path.
College Career
Worthy Patterson played guard for the UConn Huskies from 1951 to 1954 under coach Hugh Greer. During that time, he was named first-team All‑Yankee Conference twice, in the 1952–53 and 1953–54 seasons. He helped lead UConn to three straight Yankee Conference championships and a place in the 1954 NCAA Tournament.
Over his college career, Patterson played a total of 74 games and averaged about 11.5 points per game. One of his most famous moments came in his senior year, on February 27, 1954: he hit a game-winning basket with one second left to beat Holy Cross 78–77, ending their 47-game home winning streak and securing UConn’s NCAA Tournament bid.
He was also recognized beyond the Yankee Conference, earning NABC All‑District honors and being named All-New England in 1953. Patterson’s strong leadership and clutch play made him the first African American captain of any UConn sports team. Together, his college performance helped lay the foundation for UConn’s rise in college basketball history and secured his place as a Husky legend.
Professional Career
Worthy Patterson left college early in 1954 to sign with the Boston Celtics but was released just before the regular season began. He returned to UConn, earned his degree in physical education, and then served two years in the U.S. Army through ROTC, playing on the base basketball team at Fort Sill.
In 1957, Patterson joined the St. Louis Hawks, becoming the first UConn alum to play in an NBA game. He played in four NBA games during the 1957–58 season, averaging 1.8 points, 0.5 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game.
After his playing time, Patterson stayed with the Hawks for several weeks in their front office to support team integration efforts. He later played two seasons (1958–60) with the Scranton Miners in the Eastern Basketball Association. Patterson’s early pro path reflects both his pioneering role from UConn to the NBA and his continued play in regional pro leagues beyond the NBA.
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