DETROIT (11/3/2024) -- Detroit Mercy junior Peter Fuchs Jr. is one of the new additions to the Titans and another player looking for an opportunity to showcase his skills.

In fact, Fuchs Jr. is no stranger to putting himself in the best position as his path to the Motor City saw him go from his hometown in Wausau, Wisconsin, to a prep school in Florida and a college stop at the University of Minnesota-Crookston. 

"I was at a Division II school, but I always wanted to play DI, so when the opportunity came about, I took it," said Fuchs Jr. "It has been a goal to play DI since I was a kid."

Fuchs Jr. started playing basketball a bit later than others. He grew up playing baseball and didn't really get into basketball until the eighth grade. 

"I was always a baseball kid, but I started playing with my cousin, and he told me that this would be my favorite sport. I just kept playing and fell in love with the game. It kind of just became an obsession," added Fuchs Jr. 

In high school, he starred at Wausau West, averaging 17.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists, but decided to move to Florida for prep school at DME Academy, where he posted 13.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists. That allowed him to get some offers and one if those was from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He chose to go to Minnesota-Crookston, but that offer from Wisconsin-Whitewater would ultimately get him to UDM. 

"I was looking to play Division I, and one of our assistants, coach MacMartin, was recruiting me at a previous school he was at two years ago," said Fuchs. Jr. "When I was looking at schools, I saw he was here, and I reached out to him, and that's how the process started.

"I knew a little about Detroit Mercy. I knew about Antoine Davis and what he did and being from Wisconsin, I knew they were in the Horizon League and played against Green Bay and Milwaukee."

He missed his freshman year with an injury, but last season, he averaged 6.4 points and 1.8 rebounds, shooting 40.9% from the field and 77.3% at the free-throw line. He then decided that he wanted to chase his DI dream. 

Fuchs Jr. has been with the team since the summer, and as someone who has been well-traveled, he feels that has prepared him for this new opportunity. 

"I would say the biggest thing it has taught me is a bunch of different styles of basketball and different styles of coaching," said Fuchs Jr. "Being able to adjust to different things is something I have learned, and trying to fit in is something I am used to. Whenever I get my chance, I am going to take it. I saw a quote from Tom Brady that said he used to only get like one rep in practice, but he made the most of it. That is what I am looking to do, just work hard, and when I get my chance, I need to take it. My goal is to help make this team better and individually, just keep improving."

Since the summer, he has been working with the team as they learn a new style and about each other. The team wants to build a new, positive culture, and he feels they are heading in that direction under this coaching staff. 

"We gel great on and off the court. I think we have worked so hard since we got here, and it is easy working with these guys because we are so close. I love our coaching staff. They welcomed me with open arms and are with you on and off the court. They push us hard and they want the best for us. Everything they say is to make you a better player and a better person because one day, the ball is going to stop dribbling, and we are going to have these life lessons that will help us as human beings."

Fuchs Jr. knows that he needs to keep working because, at this level, everything is better. He has accepted this challenge as he has learned more about himself in the last few months.  

"I would say that I have a level of dedication that I didn't know I had," said Fuchs. Jr. "At my previous school, we didn't work as hard as we do now. Waking up early and going from lifts and straight to practice takes a certain level of commitment. Being able to do that every day is a huge commitment, and I didn't realize I had that drive in me until now."

As for what he need to improve on the most heading into the season. 

"I just have to continue to improve and be loud and vocal. I see a lot of the other guys, they are really intense, and sometimes I get zoned out and nervous. I need to get more confident and continue to work hard to play at this level," said Fuchs Jr.