April 26, 2000
LEXINGTON, Kty. – Gerald Fitch, a 6-3, 180-pound guard at Westside High School in Macon, Ga., and Erik Daniels, a 6-7, 190-pound swingman from Princeton High School in Cincinnati, both signed national letters-of-intent to play college basketball at the University of Kentucky, Coach Tubby Smith announced today after receiving the official documents.
“We really helped ourselves by signing these young men,” said Smith, who now has four newcomers signed for the 2000-01 season.
The Associated Press in Georgia named Fitch the Class 4A Player of the Year after he guided the Seminoles to the state tournament semifinals this past season. The runner-up for Mr. Basketball averaged 26.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 4.4 steals per game as Westside finished with a 28-5 record.
“Gerald has solid perimeter skills,” Smith said. “He has good form on his jump shot, he’s an excellent ballhandler and he will add instant depth to our backcourt. We’ll be able to use his outside shooting ability and we expect him to see considerable playing time next season. Coach (Aaron) Greene has done an outstanding job at Westside in developing Gerald into a top-notch player.”
A three-year letterman at the three-year-old school, Fitch guided the ‘Noles to a 68-19 record during his career, including consecutive Class 4A Regional titles and back-to-back state tournament appearances. As a junior, he averaged 19.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game.
Following his senior season, Fitch was voted first-team All-State, first-team All-Middle Georgia and Middle Georgia Player of the Year. The Atlanta Tip-Off Club named him to their “Terrific Ten” team, an honor bestowed upon the top-10 players in the state and USA Today also made him a first team All-Georgia selection. Fitch chose the Wildcats over Clemson and Florida State.
Daniels, who grew nine inches during high school, lettered two years for the Vikings’ varsity squad, guiding Princeton to the sectional championship game this season and a 17-5 record. He averaged 20.4 points, 9.8 rebounds, five assists and 2.7 steals per game as the Vikings won the Greater Miami Conference for the second time in three years.
“He’s a very versatile player who can put the ball on the floor, pass, rebound and defend,” Smith said. “But his versatility is his greatest attribute. He’ll be able to play several positions on the wing for us. We’re elated with the depth he’ll provide our team.”
The southpaw was a first-team All-Southwest Conference selection and an All-State pick. He hails from the same high school as current UK third baseman/wide receiver Vince Harrison.
“It’s great for us to go into Cincinnati, a basketball hotbed for talent, and come out with the city’s top player,” Smith said. “He comes >from a great family, he’s been well-schooled in the game by Coach (Paul) Andrews and he’s close enough to home where they’ll get to see him play all the time.”
Daniels chose the Wildcats over Michigan, Temple and Clemson.
Fitch and Daniels join the UK roster with newcomers Cliff Hawkins, a 6-2 guard from Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va., and Michael Southall, a 6-10 center from West Salem, Wis., who signed with Kentucky in November.
The spring signing period ends May 15.
