Getting to know: Tim Frazier
BWI caught up with new Nittany Lions' guard Tim Frazier at last Friday's Lift for Life event at Holuba Hall.
Advertisement
Here, he talks about his transition to Penn State, his game, and his expectations for this coming season.
BWI: How do you like Penn State?
Frazier: I definitely like where I am at. I've adjusted. It's a different time period in Houston and different weather also but I feel that I've adjusted and I'm able to get through it every day. But definitely, I'm really excited. I'm really excited about where I am and where the team is headed in the future.
BWI: What has it been like playing on this level? Is it much different than playing in high school?
Frazier: I would kind of say yes, it's a lot tougher, a lot faster, a lot bigger but that's just all part of the game when going into new levels of life in every situation you go through. So, I'll be able to come through.
BWI: Talor has been away, making you the only point guard on the squad right now. How has that been as the only true guard in these pick up games?
Frazier: It's been okay. I wish the best for Talor and he'll be back soon and be able to help me out and give me some tips for the same things he knows and he did when he came in as a freshman but, it's been okay. I've been able to handle it.
BWI: What on your thoughts on how the coaching staff will use you next year?
Frazier: I'm just here to help out the team. If that means I need to come in and be point guard, if I need to run the two, if I need to be the backup then I'm all here for it. I'm not really set on certain things so whatever the coach needs me to do then I'm here to do it.
BWI: Have you had a chance to sit down with him and talk?
Frazier: We haven't really discussed basketball. He's basically been trying to accompany me into the new system, new classes and the college life so we really haven't gotten into the basketball situation yet.
BWI: Even with that, the new lifestyle, how do you like that transition?
Frazier: I definitely like it. Back at my high school at home it kind of didn't have a lot of structure and I think with a lot of structure, which coach DeChellis has, being on time and being early enough, then I think I'm fine.
BWI: Does it help having three other guys that are going through the same experience with you?
Frazier: Definitely, it definitely helps out since we're all staying so close together. None of us are going to be late because one of the four of us is going to wake up and get there on time.
BWI: You're lifting now on a totally different scale than what you were used to in high school. What has that been like?
Frazier: Yeah, it's definitely a big difference. Even though we did lift in high school, I definitely can see some improvement in these last two weeks with Brad. I'm pushing myself and he's pushing me even harder, telling me I can do this and give me encouragement.
BWI: No offense at all but you're a pretty skinny guy.
Frazier: Yeah, definitely. I've always been a skinny guy. I don't know why, I just have metabolism because I eat tons. But, I just think I use that to my ability with my quickness.
BWI: Have they talked about trying to put some weight on you before the season starts?
Frazier: Definitely, we're going to try to put some weight on me but they're going to try to make it all muscle.
BWI: What are you at right now?
Frazier: I'm around 150 so I'm trying to get up to maybe 160 by the time the season starts.
BWI: Have you seen progress already?
Frazier: Oh, yeah definitely, I've seen progress even just looking in the mirror at myself. I definitely see I've been stronger with doing the reps and things like that.
BWI: When you were in high school had you hit the weights at all?
Frazier: We definitely hit the weights but it wasn't like here. I mean, it was twice out of the week because I had school but here, it's every day out of the week besides Saturday. It's definitely different but I'm here for it.
BWI: How challenging is that?
Frazier: It's definitely challenging waking up in the morning and being able to get there on time and then be able to go hard enough and be able to push yourself even when you know that, Man, it's just the summer, I still have a long way to go. But, I definitely have Brad right there to push me and myself to keep it going.
BWI: How tired are you at the end of the day?
Frazier: I don't think I'm too tired because I've always been the type of person that's been in shape. Maybe sore-wise, I might be a little sore but other than that I think I'm pretty fine.
BWI: Is that from the lifting or guys bumping into you more out there on the court?
Frazier: I would have to say maybe from the lifting and pushing myself. Bumping out there on the court, I've been able to adjust it. I bumped a lot in high school even though this is just a few times harder but I think I've been able to bounce back. The competitiveness inside me and the heart and desire makes me go harder.
BWI: It seems like one of the things guys transitioning from high school to college always notice is the change in defense. Has it been a big adjustment for you?
Frazier: Being a player where I was skinny and my athleticism, defense was something I always used and was one of my main focuses. If it wasn't about always scoring all the time, it was definitely about making the last defensive stop. So, I kind of prided myself on defense in high school. Therefore, I think with defense I'm going to do the same thing here and practice the same thing here.
BWI: On the offensive side of the ball, have you noticed people defending you maybe tougher than it had been in high school?
Frazier: Definitely, but it's kind of the same. It's definitely been tougher and people have been guarding me even harder and pushing me and shoving me to get me better but I've been able to adjust. It's been two weeks now so I'm fit for it.
BWI: What have you seen from Bill Edwards so far?
Frazier: Bill is a great, stocky guy. He's very strong, nice shooter on the outside too, very crafty with the ball. He's a different size for a 3/2 man which will be great mismatches for other people.
BWI: Is that exclusively where you see him? Some people have wondered if he can play the four in a jam.
Frazier: Definitely, he's between all those spots right there because of his size and his body and his strength. Definitely his shot also too. I think he has the same feeling as me. Whatever coach wants us to do, we'll be out there to do it.
BWI: He doesn't look very shy out on the court.
Frazier: We're right in the mix, talking, running plays, calling out guys. It's very fun. It's exciting.
BWI: What have you seen from Sasa so far?
Frazier: Sasa has great moves, especially coming from across the world in another country. He has the difference in moves with European step throughs and stuff we don't really see a lot here in the States. But, definitely, he has the skill work and a very nice outside touch shot. He works hard too. He doesn't say too much but he definitely works and plays hard.
BWI: It seems like his offense might be a little more developed than his defense at this point.
Frazier: I don't know. I think we're all here learning new things. I know I've asked questions of D.J. and Cam and Chris... all different things on how we're going to defend these screens, how we get through these screens, how we bump off and things like that. I think these first couple of weeks, we're all trying to learn what coach wants us to do, what's the proper way to defend these things. It was different in high school. There weren't that many screens, there weren't that many picks, there weren't that many down screens. It's different but I think it's all a learning process.
BWI: It's probably safe to guess he's getting bumped around a little down low too?
Frazier: Definitely but all four of us talk after workouts sometimes. We keep working hard, keep getting better, keep asking questions and I think everything will be fine when the season comes around.
BWI: What are your initial impressions of Jermaine, even though he has mono?
Frazier: Right man, it's bad luck for him but he's just a tremendous guy. I remember the first day when we played him, he had great signs of skill work and athleticism as well as his touch. The first night we came here we were able to scrimmage in front of the camp. He has great upside and he'll be able to make it when he comes back ready to go.
BWI: Is your passing ability the hallmark of your game?
Frazier: I couldn't say. I was just always told going against a lot of guys to use my speed all the time. Just getting by guys and using my speed as soon as I catch it out of bounds and I'm pushing it full court every single time. I have to say that's my motive but I'm definitely a pass first, shoot later type of guy.
BWI: What are some of the things you might need to change with your jump shot?
Frazier: Definitely with the jump shot it's just keeping working on it. Just get in the gym and keep working on it and it's going to fall. Some days I can shoot 100 percent and other days I can't buy a bucket but that's just like with any other player in the game. If I keep working on it though I think I'll be ready when the season comes.
BWI: Have they talked about changing your mechanics or is it something you're pretty comfortable with?
Frazier: I'm pretty comfortable with it but sometimes I'm on and sometimes I'm off. It's a different situation. I'm pretty sure if there's going to be changes needed for the shot to be better I'll definitely make those changes and we'll go from there.
BWI: What are your goals for the rest of the summer?
Frazier: The rest of the summer, education-wise, just stay on my books and get good grades and get a head start on the school season as well as just work hard every day, get bigger and get ready for the basketball season to come around.
BWI: Is it difficult balancing the academics and the intensity of the basketball?
Frazier: I think I'm pretty fine coming from Strake Jesuit which was a college prep campus. It was definitely this exact same thing. The work is extremely tough, you have to study all the time but then you have to balance basketball, especially coming from last season where we all had wins and we all came with the mode of working hard. It was working hard after practice, putting up some shots after practice and getting home and studying. I think I'm fine and I'll be able to fit in.
BWI: What do you hope to gain from Talor when he gets back?
Frazier: I definitely want to gain any little secrets he can tell me but definitely I'll be going against him in scrimmages and drills and that's going to get me even tougher because he's done it for two years, he's made the big shot, he's made the right pass. Playing against somebody as good as him is just going to make me better in general.
BWI: Did being able to play with him factor in your decision to come here?
Frazier: I definitely think it had something to do with it but a lot of it was just the family atmosphere of everybody here, not just Talor, but all the guys here. They were all here ready and willing to work hard. That's something you always want to come into a place where everybody is going to work hard, everybody has the same goal of winning and getting to the NCAA Tournament.
BWI: That said, you're pretty far from home, how do you like the family atmosphere here and is this what you expected before you got up here?
Frazier: I definitely expected it to be a family atmosphere, especially with the coaches. But, it's been just like home. Just like I feel like back at Strake Jesuit. It's been fun. I've come to guys already and things like that. I even wrote an English paper about how this is a new home for me. It's definitely been a great family atmosphere.
