USF's Fitzpatrick comes up big in expanded role

USF freshman Toarlyn Fitzpatrick made some big shots during his career at King High, including a game-winner at the buzzer off an offensive rebound.

But that shot failed to elicit the numerous text messages and phone calls the way his 3-pointer to force overtime with 0.3 seconds left at Providence on Saturday did.

"It didn't make SportsCenter,'' Fitzpatrick said Tuesday.

His shot on Saturday - the biggest of his 19-game college career - did. The Bulls went on to win, 109-105.

While teammate Dominique Jones stole the headlines in USF's first Big East road win in 12 games, Fitzpatrick's 3-pointer made the Bulls' unlikely win possible.

After Jones tipped away a Providence in-bounds pass, USF guard Ryan Kardok hit the floor for the loose ball. Once he grabbed it, Kardok flung a pass to Fitzpatrick with the clock about to expire.

Fitzpatrick, after a brief hesitation, drained a shot from the left ring that set off a celebration on USF's bench.

"It was so unexpected,'' Fitzpatrick said. "We were scrambling for the ball trying to get a steal, and Dominique ended up getting a hand in there and Ryan grabbed the ball. I was just basically coming [up the court] in transition. I didn't expect the ball to swing my way.

"Once the ball was in my hands, I had nothing else to do but shoot it.''

The shot reminded Jones of the player he watched at King last year when Jones was dating Fitzpatrick's godsister. Jones was impressed enough by Fitzpatrick's play that he lobbied hard for him to come to USF after Fitzpatrick requested out of a letter-of-intent he signed with Georgia Southern after the coach who recruited him resigned.

"He's progressed a lot,'' Jones said. "I know how good he really is. I knew that if we had him, he could be a real good player for our program.''

USF coach Stan Heath expected Fitzpatrick to be the Bulls' fourth option inside behind Gus Gilchrist, Jarrid Famous and Alex Rivas. However, when Gilchrist went down with an ankle injury last month and Rivas out early in the season following leg surgery, Fitzpatrick assumed a larger role.

The 6-foot-8, 230-pound forward has started 10 games, averaging 5.3 points and 5.3 rebounds. He also leads the team with 18 blocked shots.

Heath is optimistic that Fitzpatrick's big moment Saturday is just the start of a promising career.

"It's really a great story,'' Heath said. "He's a kid we looked at and weren't quite sure [about in high school]. We always thought he had the talent, but not sure if he was ready to play at the Big East level.

"It's been a perfect fit. It's been kind of amazing to watch his progression and evolution throughout this season. He's a guy that has had double-double games, he's hit some big shots, has rebounded the ball.

"He is definitely going to become a very, very good player in this league.''

A shy type around strangers, Fitzpatrick is beginning to come out of his shell. Heath says he is one of the team's top pranksters. If USF fans didn't know much about Fitzpatrick prior to Saturday, they do now.

A shot like raises your profile around campus - and on the court.

"It's definitely a confidence boost, to show that I can really play on this level and that I can compete on a high level,'' Fitzpatrick said. "I think it's a confidence builder for my teammates too, [to] give them confidence to give me the ball and know I will do something other than turn the ball over.''