Senior Toarlyn Fitzpatrick’s journey with the USF men’s basketball program has been a memorable one. The standout 6-foot-8-inch forward out of Tampa King High School received offers from schools such as Miami, Alabama, Ole Miss and Florida State. Ultimately, Fitzpatrick passed up these offers and chose to stay in his hometown and play for the Bulls.
Fitzpatrick, or Fitz, is an obvious candidate for a basketball star due to his size, but tried football instead. But when Fitzpatrick hit the 6-foot-4-inch mark in middle school, his father suggested his height might be put to greater use on the basketball court.
In 2012-13, Fitzpatrick is the team’s leading scorer. He hopes to build on the successes he has had and seeks to get some attention from the NBA.
Samantha Ouimette is the sports editor of The Crow’s Nest. She can be reached at sports@crowsneststpete.com.
Photo contributed by J. Meric.
