It's official: Brian Fitzpatrick, a 6-foot-8 forward from Northfield, Mass., committed to Penn on Tuesday, his father confirmed last night. He's the second recruit for coach Glen Miller's Class of 2013, joining guard Carson Sullivan, who committed in early October.
The Northfield-Mount Hermon player was being recruited by a handful of Ivy and Patriot League programs and had accepted an offer at Bucknell before longtime Bison head coach Pat Flannery retired.
With Bucknell no longer in consideration, Yale and Penn became the frontrunners for Fitzpatrick's commitment.
Fitzpatrick was scheduled to have visited Yale last weekend, according to his father last week.
Northfield-Mount Hermon has been a pipeline for the Ivy League as of late. Fitzpatrick is the second player from the school this year to have committed to an Ancient Eight university and the seventh in the past two years.
Despite his size, Fitzpatrick will likely play more of a swingman-type role. Among his strengths are his outside shot, strong dribbling skills for a big man and ability to run the floor.
On his recent visit to Penn, Fitzpatrick was impressed by the University's storied basketball program, although he has not had the opportunity to see a game at the Palestra. Even better, though, he'll soon get to play in one.
- Brandon Moyse
