The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

SHAQUILLO Fritz has decided on the final destination of his NCAA basketball career in his postgraduate season.

Fritz announced via Twitter that he will join the Pacific University Tigers for the upcoming Fall 2019 campaign.

“I want to express how thankful I am for all the schools that recruited me, it has truly been a journey,” Fritz said.

The Tigers, coached by former NBA Rookie of the Year Damon Stoudamire, compete in the West Coast Conference.

Last season, they finished 14-18 and were eliminated in the opening round of the WCC tournament.

Fritz played the last two seasons with the Arkansas StateRed Wolves but entered the NCAA transfer portal following the conference tournaments.

In 25 games and 13 starts for the Red Wolves last season, Fritz averaged 1.9 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. He shot 44 per cent from the field. He led the team with 24 blocks, five of those coming on March 12 in a Sun Belt Conference Tournament tilt at South Alabama.

He had a season high seven points and nine rebounds in the regular season finale against Louisiana on March 9. He also pulled down a season high 10 rebounds against Texas State on February 14. He had at least two blocked shots in six games, including a season high five blocks against Grand Canyon.

In his final appearance with the Red Wolves, they suffered a 75-67 loss to the South Alabama Jaguars in the conference tourney to bring their season to a close.

Fritz got the start and finished with six points, five rebounds and four blocked shots in 25 minutes.

A 6’8’’, 220-pound power forward, he played locally for the St George’s Jaguars before a number of stops on his high school and collegiate career.

Fritz completed his high school career at IMG Academy in Florida, committed to Stetson University but eventually would play his freshman season at Miami Dade College and transferred to Paris Junior College.

With the Sharks, Fritz played in 26 games and averaged 2.8 points and 3.2 rebounds per game while shooting 60 per cent from the field.

After a transfer, Fritz spent his sophomore season with Paris Junior College. In 27 games he averaged 4.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, shooting 57 per cent from the field. He received a redshirt in his first season with the Red Wolves.