By Theo Han
Bryce Fitzgerald, a class of 2025 point guard for Mark Black Elite, had a phenomenal weekend at Best of the South. 

The recently turned 15-year-old showed some maturity and toughness playing up in the 17U division and arguably had two of the best single-game performances throughout the tournament. He finished one game with an efficient 34 points scoring on all three levels and another with 27 points and seven assists. 

A dual-sport athlete, Fitzgerald said his skill learned on the gridiron has helped him on the hardwood. 

“Football gave me the strength to get through contact and get boards,” he said. 

Fitzgerald’s experience at safety in football was on display, as his ball-tracking skills and vision made him a constant rebounding and passing threat. He also had multiple steals on balls like he was a safety seeking the passes to fill up the stat sheet.

When asked about his thoughts on both sports, Fitzgerald said: “Basketball was always my first sport… I love it, but football I’m better at it. I’ll admit that.” 

Despite being such a solid hooper, Fitzgerald currently has more of a reputation on the gridiron. A safety for Belen Jesuit Prep out of Miami, he is a 4-star recruit with over 40 Division 1 football offers. South Dakota State has been the only D1 basketball program to offer - so far - officially. 

“That’s a tough decision,” Fitzgerald said when asked about what sport he would choose if the basketball recruiting started picking up. The constant D1 football offers may have something to say about his outlook on recruiting, but we believe his skillset can elevate him on major recruiting lists from basketball programs all around the country. 

“Basketball is my main sport,” Fitzgerald said. 

He says he’s self-aware that the football recruitment could place him at a better opportunity, and so far it has, but we can’t wait to see how things might change if recruiting on the basketball end takes off.