Fitzgerald names top three

Andrew Fitzgerald averaged 21 points, 18 rebounds and five blocks a game last season for Owings Mills High in the Baltimore area, and has become a hot commodity this spring. Fitzgerald discussed his recruitment with Jeff Ermann.

There’s certainly no lack of prospects on Kentucky’s basketball recruiting board these days, and one new addition is Baltimore, Md., big man Andrew Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald has been hearing that Kentucky has been eyeing him recently, and is hoping the interest will develop into an all-out recruitment.

“I’ve been hearing that they’re interested and I expect to hear something from the coaches pretty soon,” said Fitzgerald, who holds offers from Seton Hall and Pittsburgh along with interest from Xavier, Texas A&M, Syracuse and Maryland. “My top three is Pittsburgh, Xavier and Kentucky.”

“They’ve got one of the top big men in the NCAA in Patrick Patterson,” he said, “and I know about their program and all the national championships and all of the players they’re sent to the pros.”

Fitzgerald has been somewhat under the radar because he’s moved around a bit, starting his career at St. Frances Academy, then transferring to Towson Catholic before settling in at Owings Mills High in suburban Baltimore, where he averaged a whopping 21 points, 18 rebounds and five blocks last season.

“I don’t think [the moving around] will hurt me because I’ve got the grades,” said Fitzgerald, who would like to make a commitment late summer or early fall.

Fitzgerald shed 15 pounds this spring and has been showcasing an improved all-around game, including an excellent performance last month at the Pittsburgh Jamfest.

“That’s when I showed I can really play. Boo Williams was just a warm-up … I’m running up and down the floor and I’ve got a hook shot,” he said. “I’m stepping up my game. I can pull up and shoot from the free throw line, counter moves, post moves or do whatever it takes.”

Fitzgerald said his main priority in picking a school will have nothing to do with playing style or any other on-court factors’ he feels he can fit into most any system.

“Education, that’s all I’m worried about,” he said. “I can fit into a program really easy, but education is the thing that I’m looking at the most.”