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RJ

@rjfitz13

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RJ Fitzpatrick's junior year was full of accomplishments: collegiate Player of the Year honors in wheelchair basketball, a 4.0 in the classroom, and a third-place tournament finish with his fellow Illini.

Fitzpatrick, a senior in recreation, sport and tourism, did all of this while losing his chief supporter: his father, Peter, who died in March after a two-year battle with brain cancer.

A new year brings new reflections and a new level of maturity for Fitzpatrick, a fierce competitor on the court with a kind, fun-loving presence in his daily life. And this year, he knows for sure: he’s not going it alone.

“The support from the whole wheelchair basketball program has just been huge,” he said. “Knowing I always have them in my corner, that just has made the whole thing a little bit easier, you know?

Read RJ's story at the link in our bio. by @rjfitz13

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a month ago

Hooping for my Dad 💙 by @rjfitz13

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5 months ago

RJ Fitzpatrick shined on the court this season while fighting his biggest battle off it. #connecticut #basketball #sherman #wheelchairbasketball #illinois by @rjfitz13

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6 months ago

Add it to his list

@rjfitz13 also adds All-American First Team to his list of honors for 2025-26!

#Illini | #HTTO | #IlliniCulture by @rjfitz13

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6 months ago

That’s our guy!

@rjfitz13 has been named the NWBA Men’s Player of the Year!

#Illini | #HTTO | #IlliniCulture by @rjfitz13

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6 months ago

I lost my hero and my inspiration. God blessed me with the greatest Dad. Thank you for all the prayers the past couple years. His funeral Mass will be 11:30am this Saturday at St. Edward’s in New Fairfield. 💙

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/newstimes/name/peter-fitzpatrick-obituary?id=60980465 by @rjfitz13

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7 months ago

by @rjfitz13

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8 months ago

@rjfitz13 was feasting all last weekend!

#Illini | #HTTO | #IlliniCulture by @rjfitz13

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a year ago

Year 3️⃣ by @rjfitz13

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a year ago

Great time in Germany 🇺🇸 taken in Bochum, Germany by @rjfitz13

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a year ago

Grateful #usau23 🇺🇸 taken in Bogotá, Colombia by @rjfitz13

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2 years ago

taken in University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign by @rjfitz13

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2 years ago