In the end, Patrick Patterson’s heart was never really in the NBA.

At a Monday news conference, UK’s All-Southeastern Conference forward spoke about the importance of returning to school to graduate after entering his name in the NBA draft after the season.

“It came down for me to have an opportunity to get a degree next year, there are not too many people that have that chance to get their degree in three years and that means a lot to me,” Patterson said. “It also means a lot for me to come back and get the chance to play for Kentucky and hopefully be a top contender and win a national championship.”

Patterson decided to not work out for any teams. He was projected to be taken between the 15th and 20th pick in the draft, just out of the lottery. Patterson declined to say whether his junior year will be his last with UK and left open the possibility that he could return for his senior year.

In addition to earning his degree, Patterson felt new UK head coach John Calipari could help prepare him for the NBA. Patterson said the face-up skills he will need to learn to be successful in the NBA will also help him in Calipari’s system. A top recruiting class and slew of returning talent also made the return to Lexington more appealing for Patterson, who still has not played in an NCAA tournament game.

“Looking at the team we could possibly have next year, with all the people we have coming in, with Darnell (Dodson), with Daniel (Orton), DeMarcus (Cousins) and (Eric) Bledsoe, all the weapons we have coming in that helped a lot,” Patterson said. “With the caliber of the team we could have next year and competing for a national title hopefully.”

Calipari was at the news conference but not available to speak to members of the media. Patterson was flanked by his mother and father, who Patterson said wanted him to return to school.

Patterson was unsure whether senior-to-be Jodie Meeks would withdraw his name from the NBA draft. Patterson didn’t even inform his teammates of his decision so as to not affect any of their decisions. Meeks has until June 15 to remove his name from the draft, so long as he does not hire an agent. Patterson said he and Meeks only had a brief text message exchange talking about Patterson’s decision to return.

“I want him to make his decision on his own feelings and his own thoughts and not have my decision weigh on his,” Patterson said. “I just said ‘Best of luck with your decision and keep me updated.’ ”

Patterson said he was unsure whether he would have come back if there hadn’t been a coaching change, but was looking forward to another season with the Cats and his final year of classes.

“Just all the attention I’ve been getting, me and my teammates, that played a role. I still get to be seen as Patrick Patterson to UK fans,” Patterson said. “I know that the NBA is always going to be there and hopefully it will always be there for me.”