Fitzpatrick Will Run With the Bulls

Apr 28, 2009 | By: Tropics Staff

 

King's Fitzpatrick Staying Home To Play For Bulls

TAMPA – University of South Florida men’s basketball coach Stan Heath announced today the signing of forward Toarlyn Fitzpatrick to a USF Grant-In-Aid.

Fitzpatrick (6-8, 230) was one of the top forwards in Florida out of Tampa King High School and was named the St. Petersburg Times’ Suncoast Player of the Year after averaging a double-double as a senior with 14.0 points and 11.3 rebounds per game. He also chipped in 4.3 blocks, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game.

Fitzpatrick signed with Georgia Southern in the November signing period but was granted a release from his NLI after Georgia Southern’s coach resigned at the end of the season. He will enter USF as a freshman for the 2009-10 season.

Toarlyn Fitzpatrick, F
High School: King (Tampa, Fla.)
Hometown: Tampa, Fla.
6-8, 230

Was one of the top forwards in Florida out of Tampa King High School and was named the St. Petersburg Times’ Suncoast Player of the Year after averaging a double-double as a senior with 14.0 points and 11.3 rebounds per game... Also chipped in 4.3 blocks, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game... Signed with Georgia Southern in the November signing period but was granted a release from his NLI after Georgia Southern’s coach resigned at the end of the season... Led King to its best season in school history as a senior, finishing 23-7 and leading the Lions to their first ever 5A state final four appearance... Had a 10 assist and two eight assist outings to go along with two eight block games and a school single-game record 25 rebound game... Tallied a triple-double in region final win with 18 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists... Scored more than 2,000 career points in his high school career... Named to the Tampa Tribune's All-Hillsborough County Boys Basketball first-team and named a Tampa Bay Basketball Coaches Association All-Star and Florida Athletic Coaches Association All-Star... Averaged 15.5 points and 9.0 rebounds per game as a junior... Was an All-Western Conference and All-Bay Area Suncoast Team honoree, and was named Tournament MVP of the Alonso Holiday Classic as a junior... Posted 15.0 points and 9.7 rebounds an outing as a sophomore and was named to the All-Western Conference and All-Hillsborough County teams... Coached by Sam Lanier at King... Son of Johnny and Limbana Lester... Chose USF over Miami, Alabama, Auburn, Tulane, Ole Miss and Florida State.

COACH HEATH QUOTE
WHAT COACH HEATH IS SAYING ABOUT TOARLYN FITZPATRICK....

“We’re excited to add Toarlyn Fitzpatrick to our basketball program. He’s had an outstanding senior season and has really made tremendous strides in improving his game. We really feel like he has the ability to play an integral part in our team his coming season. We look forward to working with Toarlyn in helping him develop to reach his fullest potential.”

 

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