July 23, 2003

LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky guard Gerald Fitch re-aggravated a hernia today and was forced to return to Lexington from Orlando, Fla., where he was in the final tryout for the 2003 Pan-Am Games Team.

“We were hoping that Gerald’s hernia would not be a problem during this week’s tryouts,” UK Coach Tubby Smith said. “This is not only a blow for Gerald but also for USA Basketball, as he was really competing well. We will now focus on getting him the attention he needs to recover in time for his senior season.”

Fitch and teammate Chuck Hayes made the list of 17 finalists after a tryout in Colorado Springs, Colo., in late May. Fitch developed the hernia after the initial audition, but was cleared for the tryouts in Orlando last week.

Hayes will continue to compete for a spot on the final 12-man roster, which will be finalized at the end of training camp next week. The squad will then travel to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic for the games, Aug. 2-6.

UK team physicians will revisit Fitch’s status on Friday.