Branden Frazier got a taste of what it is like to be a professional basketball player as he begins the process of deciding his future in the sport.
The former Fordham University star and Bishop Loughlin standout worked out for the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets prior to the NBA Draft. It provided him a look into the ranks of the NBA with the start of his own pro career on the horizon.
“The workouts made me prepare for what I am about to do next year,” Frazier said.
He took away how important it is to never give less than your best effort, to make sure to showcase the things you do well and perfect those attributes. Frazier said he already has some offers to play overseas, but his focus now is improving his game this summer and winning on the streetball circuit with Sean Bell, one of city’s top squads.
“I have a couple of overseas things waiting on the table for me now,” he said. “I just have to see what I’ll do.”
What Frazier did was put on quite a show during a win over Ave Life at the Tri-State Classic at Terminal 23 in Manahattan on July 13. Frazier connected on four straight three-pointers and five for the game. He tallied 21 points, including 14 straight early in the second half. Frazier’s final three-pointer came deep along the right side.
“It’s fun going out here and playing,” Frazier said. “I’ve been working out here [Terminal 23] for a couple of weeks now, so I guess I have the advantage.”
His hot shooting was reminiscent of his final game of her career as a Rams, in an eventual 87-74 loss to Dayton in the second round of the Atlantic-10 tournament. Frazier scored 30 points, connected on four treys and grabbing five rebounds. Fordham will always be in heart, but a win there would have also meant a lot.
Overall his senior season was a big help to getting him prepared for the move to the professional ranks. Frazier got a chance to get comfortable playing predominantly point guard, the position he will be looked at to fill at the next level. He feels he is ready for whatever lies ahead.
“I’m getting my guys involved and whatever open shots I get making sure I make them,” Frazier said. I’m really adjusted to it now,” “
Manhattan’s Brown heads to overseas’ tryout: Former Jaspers forward Rhamel Brown participated in Korean Basketball League tryouts last weekend in Las Vegas in hopes of landing a professional contract. He hopes to put his offensive game on display.
The 6-foot-7 Brown helped lead Manhattan to the MAAC Conference title last season and was again the league’s defensive player of the year, but wasn’t invited to the prestigious Portsmouth Invitational before the NBA Draft. He’s used the slight to keep pushing himself.
“I’m use to it,” Brown said. “It’s more motivation for me to keep going.”
