Signing of prospect Fitch lifts BGSU men's basketball hopes

5/11/2001

BOWLING GREEN - Germain Fitch, a product of one of the top prep school programs in the country, has signed a national letter of intent to play college basketball next season at Bowling Green State University.

The 6-5, 220-pound Fitch, who was one of 10 players from Notre Dame Prep School in the Boston area to sign with a Division I program this year, will be eligible to play for the Falcons in the coming season. He helped his Notre Dame team to a 32-6 record by averaging 10 points, six assists and six rebounds per game this past season.

Fitch grew up in the Cleveland area, then moved to Alabama with his family early in his high school career. He attended Butler High School in Huntsville and helped that team to a 23-8 record as a junior, earning all-city honors with 12 points, five assists and six rebounds per game. Fitch then transferred to Notre Dame after encountering some academic difficulties, according to his coach at Butler, Jack Doss.

“Germain is a great athlete who can play just about any position on the floor,” Doss, who has produced 21 Division I players and three pros, said. “He has outstanding ability, he's an explosive jumper, and as far as pure athleticism goes - he's the best we've ever had here. He's a scorer, a great passer, a great ball-handler, and he has a streak in him that will have him take somebody inside just to dunk on them.”

Doss said he spent some time with BG coach Dan Dakich during the recruiting process, and that he expects Fitch to blossom at BG.

“Germain played on some teams loaded with talent, some real balanced teams, so his numbers don't wow you, but he's a super talent with a great feel for the game,” Doss said. “He just needs some sound coaching for a consistent period of time, and we felt like Bowling Green was the place for him to go and get that kind of direction.”

Doss said he thinks Fitch is one of those rare talents who gets overlooked by the top programs in the country, and then quickly makes a name for himself in college.

“He's a true diamond in the rough,” Doss said. “We're real pleased with his choice of a college and a coach, because this kid's got a chance to play pro basketball. If he listens and works hard, I think coach Dakich can get him there.”