By ZACH SMART
As a monstrous shot-blocking presence, Class of 2028 PSA Cardinals Center Joel Patrick spent the 2026 summer shedding the rawness commonly associated with young, traditional bigs of his make-up.
Defending wings, tracking down rebounds and cultivating a polished post presence, the 6-foot-10 Patrick is now firmly entrenched on the high major radar.
He’s most intriguing for his ability to defend the rim and backbone the last line of defense. Patrick refined his offensive skill set this summer, blossoming into a catch-and-dunk threat and making the most of his touches from possession to possession.
The buzz surrounding Patrick’s vastly improved game crescendoed during Philly Live, as he averaged five blocks per game to go with an event-best 13.2 rebounds.
Currently at Montverde Academy (FL), Patrick has added offers from Utah, Oklahoma State, TCU, Virginia Tech, and VCU within the last week.
“Every team that has offered me has been communicating consistently with me,” said Patrick, who also holds offers from West Virginia, Penn State, Wake Forest, Iona, Hampton, Louisiana-Lafayette, and several others.
“I don’t have any visits scheduled as of right now. I think right now the main goal is to continue to get better everyday and mesh with my teammates at Montverde.”
Montverde returns a high level shot maker and high octane guard in Houston-commit Oneal Delancy.
They boast a radiant backcourt with Delancy and gritty 5-foot-8 Canadian point guard Javion Tyndale.
With Dhani Miller, the heartbeat of last year’s team with his scoring prowess and assassin’s instinct in moments of heightened pressure, now at Kent State, Delancy and Tyndale inherit some ownership of one of the country’s traditional superpowers.
With powerfully finishing 6-foot-7, 230-pound Houston-commit Derek Beau Daniels having recently transferred to Iowa United Prep, the opportunity for Patrick to patrol the paint and close off driving lanes immediately opened up.
“Coach (Steve) Turner and coach Joe (Katuka) have been pushing me to work on my touch,” said Patrick, who spent his sophomore season at St. Joe’s Metuchen (NJ).
“Coach Turner has been helping me with the defensive assignments. It is a high level of basketball being played through practice. I believe I can show my defensive capabilities with switching onto guards, wings, and forwards. Also blocking shots, getting steals and deflections.”
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