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Fitzpatrick Labeled As An Eigth Grader

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By NICK WILLIAMS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 14, 2008

Tampa - By the time he was in the eighth grade, King High School power forward Toarlyn Fitzpatrick was considered one of the top prospects in the country. As an eighth grader at Cambridge Christian in Tampa, he was 6-foot-5 and nearly 200 pounds and received his first recruiting letter from the University of Michigan. He attended IMG Academy in Bradenton as a freshman, building upon his reputation as a high level recruit on a nationally recognized basketball program.

He grew homesick, though, and transferred to King as a sophomore to join a program that had won just three games the previous season. Fortunately for Fitzpatrick, he remained a fixture on the recruiting scene during summer AAU. This past summer, he shined with Team Stat at the AAU National Tournament in Orlando. Just days after playing in front of dozens of college scouts, he was bombarded with phone calls and letters.

"It comes down to playing big when the spotlight is on you," he said.

Now a senior, Fitzpatrick, listed as 6-8, has signed to a full scholarship to play for Georgia Southern. He chose the Eagles over offers from Florida State, Miami and Tulane.

Fitzpatrick said because he's not considered an NBA draft pick, he hasn't been approached by street agents or shoe companies looking to capitalize off his talent. Still, the recruiting process showed him how much of a business college basketball is.

"Every school's sale pitch is different and they're saying what you want to hear," he said. "It's a real tough process."

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