Swilling signs with Tulsa
6-foot-2, 210 pound guard Patrick Swilling from College of Southern Idaho told InsideTulsaSports.com today that he has signed with the University of Tulsa. He began his college career at St. Joseph's (Pa.) and will have two years of eligibility.
Swilling said he chose Tulsa due to "the direction the new (coaching) staff is bringing the program in, the beautiful campus and facilities, the top notch education, and of course the opportunity to be coached by Danny Manning."
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Swilling was first contacted by Tulsa about four weeks ago and was recruited by Manning and assistant coach Justin Bauman. He says he hit it off well with the Golden Hurricane coaching staff.
"The relationship is beginning well," he explained. "I think as whole they have what it takes to get players matured and developed both on and off the court, and the basketball prowess to be able to recruit high major talent and be successful."
Swilling started 30 of 36 games at CSI last season, helping them to a 31-5 record and an appearance in the NJCAA National Tournament. He averaged 12.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.1 steals in 28.1 minutes per game.
"Individually it went well," he said of his sophomore season. "It could've been better, but I will always say that. We never really hit our limits, and that was upsetting. but got to move on."
Swilling, who labels himself as a combo guard, played in 18 games as a freshman at St. Joes, averaging 1.2 points and 1.1 assists in 10.6 minutes of playing time.
In high school, he was a three-year starter at Brother Martin (La.), where he averaged 18.1 points and earned all-district and all-metro honors as a senior. Swilling helped lead his team to the Class 5A State Championship and a 29-10 record his senior season, while being named MVP of the championship.
"We're thrilled to have Pat join our basketball program," said Manning. "He played at a high level of competition at one of the top junior college programs in the country, College of Southern Idaho. He's a very tough and hard-nosed competitor that brings his hard-hat and lunch-pail to work every day in wanting to become a better player and a better person.
"He is an athletic, strong, scoring guard who is capable of playing the point, two-guard and small forward positions."
Swilling was actually recruited by Tulsa in football as a high school senior, giving him a verbal offer. He had several other football offers from the likes of Auburn and Kentucky and also had basketball offers from LSU, Ole Miss, Southern Miss, Tennessee and Virginia.
His father, Pat Swilling, Sr., had an excellent NFL career from 1986 to 1998 with the New Orleans Saints, Detroit Lions and Oakland Raiders. He was a 5-time pro bowler, two-time first-team all-pro selection, two-time second-team all-pro performer and the 1991 Defensive Player of the Year.
"Pat comes from great bloodlines," said Manning. "He has a tremendous family and wonderful parents. He has grown up around competitive sports his entire life as his father had a great NFL career. His entire family sees this as a wonderful opportunity for growth on and off the court for Pat.
"Coach Gosar and his coaching staff at CSI have told us numerous times that Pat is one of the hardest workers they've ever had and that we'll be extremely pleased with Pat being a part of our program."