The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Future is bright for Frazier
By Tom Morelli, Special Writer
PUBLISHED: May 24, 2007
With L.J. Frazier, what you see is what you get.
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While some athletes motivate themselves for games by taking on a different persona, Frazier is just himself.
He's not the type of player that uses trash talking, nor will he create other confrontations on the basketball court.
Instead, the Ypsilanti Braves senior lets his abilities and talent do the talking for him.
This "show-me" approach by Frazier was a strong factor in leading the Braves to a 13-9 record and a Mega Red title for the 2006-2007 basketball season. Not bad, considering the Braves began the season with a 2-4 start.
Unlike most point guards, Frazier isn't the most vocal one you'll find out on the court. But with the season he had, he didn't need to speak-up much - his statistics took care of that. Frazier found himself working hard on both ends of the court, with game averages of 17.5 points, five rebounds, 3.5 assists, and two steals.
Perhaps it was his opponents that were talking, as they tried to stop the 5-foot-9, 160-pound dynamo. Influenced by such NBA superstars as Allen Iverson and Stephon Marbury, Frazier finds himself in the same light as a smaller, point guard that isn't afraid to take risks. Whether it's slashing toward the basket or finding the open man, Frazier keeps his offensive philosophy rather simple.
"My way of playing is just find the easiest way to get to the basket," Frazier commented.
The improvisational skills and highlight reel plays by Frazier drew a handful of scholarship offers from colleges in the Northeast, but perhaps the best one came right in his backyard.
Frazier spoke with Eastern Michigan University head coach Charles Ramsey on several occasions, and committed to the program this season. The location of the school factored into his signing, which should allow his family to attend numerous games this year. It also helps that Ramsey is an Ypsilanti High School alumni.
While Frazier treated his signing day as nothing out of the ordinary, his family made it into an all-day extravaganza.
"I had my family by me the whole day when I signed," he said. "Everybody was there and one of my sisters videotaped it."
With graduation rapidly approaching, Frazier hasn't forgotten about basketball and continues to refine his skills. Among his goals for the off-season are to become a better shooter, and continue to show hustle from tip-off to the final horn.
Though the collegiate competition will be much better, Braves Coach Steve Brooks believes that a mild-mannered Frazier will have no trouble making an adjustment.
"L.J.'s way ahead of his time in basketball and will fit in on the next level," Brooks said. "He's a smart player, and a student of the game who can run the floor.
"On top of that, he's been a great kid his whole life. L.J. has really been a joy to coach and you hate to see him go."
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