Fize on the Rise

His performance makes him a fiery player on the hardwood, and his appearance lends him an unmistakable air of intimidation.

Marcus Fizer is tall, solidly cut and emblazoned with 22 tattoos. His head is shaved and he bears a nasty looking scar on his right bicep. Often with a determined scowl, he exudes a disciplined demeanor that, partnered with his towering, muscular physique, inspires anxiety rather than calm. This smoldering persona serves him well on the basketball court, but the rest of the time, it is just an exterior— a facade.

To talk with Marcus Fizer is to chance upon a soft-spoken young man, humble and dedicated to ideals rooted in simplicity: family, fatherhood, religion, community, self-improvement, and his love of basketball and its fans.

“He looks like a mean person— tough,” says teammate, Dalibor Bagaric. “But he’s really a great guy. You would never expect it because he looks so mean on the court, but he’s a really good guy.”

Fizer’s work on the court has earned him the reputation of a smart, hard-nosed bruiser. At 6’8”, 260-pounds, he is a tenacious worker, a steadfast competitor and the Bulls most prolific low-post scoring threat. Off the court, however, he is fan friendly, an avid supporter of charity events, and an enthusiastic volunteer for community outreach programs. So, while Marcus Fizer may look tough in the paint, his commitment, compassion and character make him truly formidable.

Born August 10, 1978, Darnell Marcus Lamar Fizer spent his early childhood in the Detroit suburb of Inkster, Michigan. There he played basketball, rooted for the Pistons and first daydreamed about playing in the NBA. Later, he moved to the small, Northern Louisiana town of Arcadia where he lived with his aunt and uncle, Shelia and Robert Frazier. He attended Arcadia High School and quickly grew into the town’s most gifted basketball player.

A two-time first-team all-stater, Fizer was also a three-time all-district honoree and named the district’s most valuable player his junior and senior seasons. In his junior year, he averaged 27.4 points, 12.3 rebounds and five blocks, leading tiny Arcadia High to an impressive 30-4 record, losing to top-ranked Southern Lab, 69-66, in the Louisiana state championship. As a senior, he averaged 25.0 points, 12 rebounds and seven blocks. He was named to both the McDonald’s and Parade Magazine High School All-American teams as a senior. Upon graduation, he looked forward to attending Iowa State University on an athletic scholarship, and playing for the Cyclones.

As a freshman with Iowa State, Fizer led the league in scoring with an average of 14.9 points per game, and earned honors as the Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year. He went on to dominate the Big 12, leading the league in scoring twice. He also helped lead the Cyclones to a school-record 32-victories, post-season tournament titles and the NCAA’s Elite Eight. As a junior, he was named the Big 12 Conference Player of the Year, and he became the first player in school history to achieve the honor of First Team All-American.

While Fizer may look tough in the paint, his commitment, compassion and character make him truly formidable.

“I never thought in a million years I would be drafted by the Bulls,” says Fizer. “Darius Miles had just gone to the [Los Angeles] Clippers, so I thought I was going to Orlando. When the cameras came to my table I looked at my agent like, ‘what’s going on?’”

Chicago has been an awkward, yet good fit for Fizer, who, at first was happy to be reunited with his former college coach, Tim Floyd. More than that, however, he was delighted to join a major market franchise with a storied history.

“Chicago has been great,” says Fizer. “You see all the championship banners hanging around— the guys’ names up there. To have the opportunity to be a part of this ball club, one that’s accustomed to winning championships— It’s something that I look to every day as a blessing.”

During his rookie year, Floyd worked Fizer into the rotation behind Brand. Some predicted the former college standout would prove to be a bad fit. Others envisioned him duplicating Brand’s success as Rookie of the Year. While neither scenario bore out, the pick gave the Bulls two young, talented scoring powerhouses up front.

“Elton and I have known each other since we were 13 or 14 years old,” says Fizer. “We have a great relationship. When I first came to the Bulls, he was already an established power forward in the league, and he taught me a lot.”

Having Brand as mentor helped Fizer a great deal. Coming off the bench, the gifted but inexperienced rookie averaged 9.5 points a game and 4.3 rebounds in nearly 22 minutes. Yet, with a team record of 15-67, he had more than his share of detractors. He was criticized for his lack of defense, disparaged by trade rumors and questioned as a worthwhile first round pick. Yet, through it all, he ignored the rumblings, worked to address his shortcomings and never gave up.

“He learned that a little hard work, training and discipline pays off,” says teammate, Jalen Rose. “A lot of times when you’re a young player and things don’t go your way, guys find ways to put their heads down and make excuses. Marcus did just the opposite. He kept his head up and he found his way by working harder.”

Ironically, Chicago traded Brand to the Los Angeles Clippers in a 2001 Draft-day deal that netted Tyson Chandler. With Brand in LA, everyone thought Fizer would take over the starting power forward position. “That’s what I thought too,” Fizer says with a laugh, “but it didn’t happen.” Those plans fizzled when the Bulls acquired grizzled veteran, Charles Oakley, and once again Fizer found himself sitting during opening tip-offs.

In his second season, he improved his numbers, averaging 12.3 points and 5.6 rebounds in 26 minutes per game. Again, the young forward made a bona fide case for assuming the starting position. Unexpectedly, however, the Bulls signed eight-year veteran forward, Donyell Marshall. For the young team, Marshall brought instant leadership, proven skills and playoff savvy. A team player through and through, Fizer contently accepted his back-up role.

“Everybody wants to be a starter in this league,” says Fizer, “but before any individual accolades, I first want to be a winner. If coming off the bench is what they see me as doing best then that’s what I’ve got to do. I’m still trying to play my way into being a key player in this league. That’s all I can ask for, and I thank God for that opportunity.”

Unfortunately, personal tragedy struck last summer when Fizer lost a close friend, Danielle Roberson, who died in an automobile accident. Consequently, he reported to training camp overweight and battling depression. In November, his lack of focus landed him a seat deep on the bench behind rookie Lonny Baxter, and he played just 16 minutes over a nine-game stretch. The demotion to third-string seemed to light a fire under him, and much to his credit, he never complained or second-guessed head coach, Bill Cartwright.

“I’m really proud of the way Marcus handled the situation,” says teammate Fred Hoiberg. “He was always the first guy off the bench cheering for the other guys. He was at practice early working on his game, and he kept his head up. I’m proud of how he kept his composure through that whole thing and I think he’ll be better because of it.”

While he spends most of his playing time at power forward, depending on the opposing team, Fizer is adept at switching to the three spot. Given his size, strength and speed, he can quickly disrupt a defense.

“It’s just kind of where he fits in,” says Cartwright. “He’s not really a small forward, but his scoring ability both inside and out on the perimeter makes him tough to defend. Marcus started the year a little slow but he came back. He’s our best poster right now. Before he hurt his knee, he was rebounding the ball very well, and, overall he was doing a really nice job.”

This past season, Fizer was named CDW Bulls Player of the Month for December. During that span he averaged 13.1 points a game, 6.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists during 23.1 minutes a game. He shot .510 from the floor, reached double-digit figures in scoring on 12 occasions, posting two games with 20-plus points. In addition, he notched four double-doubles and led the team five times in rebounding and twice in scoring.

In January, Fizer continued his stretch of solid play, averaging a season-best 14.3 points to go along with 6.1 rebounds in 24 minutes of action. However, in Portland during the Bulls final game of the month, he landed awkwardly on his right leg while attempting to catch a breakaway pass, tearing the anterior cruciate ligament, ending his season early.

Off the court, Fizer takes a special pride in giving back to the Chicagoland community.

Says Cartwright: “I felt [Marcus] was on the verge of taking another step up and taking on more responsibility. His injury is a real blow to us.”

“He can create a lot of mismatches and he’s got a nice shot from about 15 to 18 feet out,” says Hoiberg. “He can also go inside if he has a smaller guy on him. He’s very quick and explosive. Once he gets rolling, you really have to ride Marcus because he’s our best post player. Losing him leaves a big void in our attack. ”

When Fizer was drafted, he originally wanted to wear the number five— the same number he wore at Iowa State. Yet, when he arrived in Chicago, veteran Ron Mercer laid claim to the digit. Instead, Marcus chose number 21, the reason being his son Aamonde, was age two and his daughter, Chandice was age one.

Fizer also believes in role models. Not because he’s supposed to, or because it’s the politically correct thing to do, but for two reasons much closer to his heart.

“There is no bigger role model in my kids’ life, than me,” he says. “A lot of responsibility comes with being in the NBA. Kids watch what you do. You have to live by strict rules. I don’t ever want to put my kids in a situation where they’d be embarrassed to say, ‘that’s my dad’.”

Off the court, Fizer takes a special pride in giving back to the Chicagoland community. Since becoming a member of the Bulls, he has visited the La Rabida Children’s Hospital numerous times. He’s also taken a local Boys and Girls Club to see an IMAX presentation of “Michael Jordan To The Max.” He’s also gotten together with the Chicago Wheelchair Bulls to visit children at the Illinois Center for Rehabilitation and Education, and he has been a member of the Bulls All-Star Reading Team since its inception, beginning in 2001.

“Marcus has been someone who has never said ‘no’,” says Dave Kurland, the Bulls Director of Community Relations. “He is always willing to help, and we have complete confidence when we ask him to do something. Not only is he going to do it well, he does it with a wholehearted effort. There is always a smile on his face and it’s genuine. It comes from his heart.”

Fizer also delivered a “Stay in School” message to more than 1,000 Bulls Scholars at the team’s annual rally last May. He regularly visits the Duncan YMCA Burn Camp and actively participates in the Bulls Read-to-Achieve Program. He is also a regular visitor at the Bulls-Sox Training Academy Summer Basketball Camps.

“It’s very hard for me to see people who are in need,” says Fizer. “Every time I see it, I just thank God for how fortunate I am. If anybody ever cancels or doesn’t show up, [the Bulls] know that I’m someone they can call. It’s a lot of fun. I love seeing kids smiling and having a good time.”

Sometimes an event requires only that a player makes an appearance, but Fizer’s favorite events are those in which he can actively participate. For example, last spring he stepped in for former teammate Ron Mercer after he was traded to the Indiana Pacers and hosted an Easter Dinner in the Englewood community at the New Friendship Baptist Church.

“He invited two hundred people for dinner,” says Kurland. “He paid for the meals and everything. That’s something we never ask our players to do. We never ask our players to fork over any kind of financial assistance.”

Far from being swept away by the NBA’s bright lights, dollar signs and highlight reels, Fizer makes it a point to remember the fans. Much as he keeps touch with his family and the community, he is eager to remain close to the fans that support him, his team and the NBA.

“A lot people say, ‘well, you’re in the NBA now so you may have problems with people tugging at your time’,” he explains. “I have a problem with that. The way you present yourself, the way you show love to people, is the same way they’ll show love to you. I’ll talk and sign as many autographs as they want. I’ll never tire of that.”

In his off time, Fizer enjoys watching NBA games and collecting unique cars. “That’s my thing,” he says with a sheepish smile. “I’m not a huge jewelry guy. Cars are a love I have always had. Cool cars, older cars, custom cars. I’d rather spend a lot of money fixing up an old car than on a custom diamond.”

While he lives in Chicago during the season, he still calls Louisiana home. During the off-season he describes his Arcadia home as a place of peace, relaxation and family. “We just sit and do whatever,” says Fizer. “It’s just a peaceful life. I don’t have to live ‘the life.’ Living the life is being happy.”

- by Allen Torpie