Chris Frazier (182-SG-1990, college: Dubuque)r is a 32 year old 182cm guard playing his 9th professional season and first with pro B team En Baskets Schwelm currently averaging 14,0ppg, 2,5rpg and 2,3apg.. He played the last 2 seasons with Pro A team wiha Panthers Schwenningen averaging 8.4ppg, 1.3rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 64.1%, 3PT: 45.0%, FT: 86.4% and last season averaged 10.0ppg, 1.8rpg, 2.4apg, FGP: 52.2%, 3PT: 37.0%, FT: 88.5% he played BBL with Crailsheim and also gathered experience with Magdeburg, Atland, Rostock and Iserlohn. He also has NCAA 3 experience having played at the University of Dubuque. He spoke last summer to germanhoops.com about basketball.
Thanks Chris for talking to germanhoops.com Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you?
Hey Miles, always good talking to you. Right now I am in Velburg in Bavaria. I stay with my parents throughout the summer and I am currently getting myself ready for the season coming up.
How long did you go after last season without touching a ball?
I went a little longer without touching a ball this year. I decided to enjoy the summer a little bit more than usual.
Before we talk about your new challenge with the EN Baskets Schwelm, lets look back a bit. You played the last 2 seasons with the wiha panthers Schwenningen. When looking back do you sometimes wonder how your career would have gone had times been normal and there not been Covid.
I didn’t break my foot when I had my first BBL chance or if I wouldn’t have stayed in the pro B so long, but things happen for a reason so I’m good where I’m at right now.
Was the last season a good example what can happen when despite having a very talented team, you can still not reach the playoffs because of a chemistry not being able to be built because of conflicting characters of teammates?
Yeah that is true. We were very talented on paper, but there were some that couldn’t buy into what we should have been able to do, but at the end we held it together and played together to hold the league so it worked out at the end. Do you feel like the playoffs could have been reached had Justin Pierce and David Cohn functioned better.
We actually played some of our best basketball when those two were together. It’s hard to point where it all went wrong, but I think we were our best when they both were together.
You had a pretty solid season averaging 10.0ppg, 1.8rpg, 2.4apg, FGP 52,2%, 3PT 37.0%, FT: 88.5%. How would you rate your last season in the ProA.
I could have done better. I was playing really well before I dislocated my shoulder during the season and when I came back I just couldn’t find my rhythm. Don’t want to use that as an excuse though I had opportunities to play better.
There were many games where it seemed like you were hardly an option on that night and on other games was the main scoring option. Is having to play like this not knowing how much of a role you will have in a certain game tough for players self-confidence?
Yeah it’s a tricky thing. You score 24 one night and the next game you only get 4 shots, but that’s a part of the game. I’m a team player and I don’t need to be the #1 scoring option every night. It does mess with your confidence though because it puts pressure on you not to make mistakes.
Did you ever have talks with head coach Alen Velcic about your role? Was there never a chance for you to have been the number 1-2 option on a regular basis.
We have had many talks, but it was never about my role. He gave me the freedom to shoot my shots when I felt I was open. Like I said I’m a team player and being the #1 option isn’t critical unless it’s really what my role is meant to be.
You had 2 really good games against Paderborn and Itzehoe. We’re those your fondest moments in the last season.
Yes and No. Only because I should of had bigger games than that and helped my team make it to the playoffs.
Despite the tough last season, it seemed like there still could have been a chance for you to remain in Schwenningen. Was the uncertain future of the organization a factor for you departing?
No, I had great talks with Coach Alen. It was just a personal choice to move on and take on another challenge.
You had 2 solid seasons in the ProA. Why take a step back to the Pro B and Schwelm? What were the main reasons for going to the EN Baskets Schwelm?
Yeah I had great seasons in the ProA and I thought I would remain there to be honest. Covid and the War changed our Market and the league looks like it wants to get younger. I wanted to go to Schwelm to help the next group of guys to make their next steps in their careers. Of course I still want to be one of the best in the league though haha I’m only 32.
How hungry are you for a strong ProB season? Is their support from head coach Falk Moeller that you will have a major role on offense?
Oh I’m always hungry to have a good start to the season. The support from coach is there, but it’s for both sides of the court and of course off the court as well.
Do you do less now in the off season because you are older? How does your off season workout plan look like.
Like I said earlier I took a little more time off this year. I had to work on my golf game, but now I hit the weight room a lot and I go running almost everyday just to get in the best shape that I can. You can never get in Basketball shape on your own though.
Where do you rate Steph Curry now in the discussion with the all-time best PG?
Tough question. He is definitely up there, but the PG position has changed over the years. PG’s are usually scoring guards now so I’d still say top 5, but that’s a tough one.
How well do you see Germany doing at the 2021 European Championships?
Also a tough one. A lot of NBA guys are playing this year. It won’t be easy, but I think Germany could be a sleeper team.
Thanks Chris for the chat.
German Hoops 