After this year’s second annual Trent Frazier Basketball Camp at Village Park in Wellington, Frazier answered a few questions about his life in basketball. He is currently getting ready for his fourth season as a professional basketball player, all played overseas.
Frazier is a 2017 graduate of Wellington High School. He just finished his third year playing professional basketball in Europe, and his second season playing in Russia.
His current team is Zenit, which is based in St. Petersburg. As an NCAA Division I player, Frazier had an impressive career playing in the Big Ten Conference at the University of Illinois, where he established a school record for the most games started (138) and the most minutes played in a career (4,885).
As a high school player at WHS, Frazier helped the Wolverines win the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 8A state championship in his sophomore year. In 2017, which was Frazier’s senior year, the Wolverines fell to eventual the state champion in the semifinals, despite 32 points from Frazier.
As a youngster, Frazier played travel basketball for the Wellington Wolves.
How did your Russian team, Zenit, do this past season? We finished second in the regular season, and in third place in the post season.
What position do you play, and how did you do this past season? I am my team’s starting point guard. I led my team in scoring (15 points a game) and in assists (four per game). I also had about two rebounds a game.
In three years as a pro player in Europe, where have you played? I have played basketball in Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro and Russia.
In which Russian cities have you played games, besides St. Petersburg? I have played in Moscow, Kuban, Kazan and Niznhy.
How do you travel around Russia? We travel in charter planes.
Where do you play your home games in St. Petersburg? We play in the Sibur Arena. I love it there. We can get as many as 7,000 fans for a home game.
What is the biggest difference between playing NCAA Division I basketball and pro basketball? There’s more physicality in the pro game. Also, every player has a higher basketball IQ. Everybody is a good player.
What did you learn from WHS coach Matthew Colin that still stays with you? He taught me the importance of playing strong defense.
With an internationally diverse group of teammates and a Spanish head coach in Xavi Pascual, what’s the main language used in practices and games? English.
Outside of basketball, what do you do to stay in shape? I like to run. I will run outside or on a treadmill.
What type of shoes do you wear to play basketball? I wear Kobes from Nike. I have 12 pairs of basketball shoes.
What’s your preferred form of social media? I post to Instagram.
Which NBA players did you enjoy watching while growing up? I always enjoyed watching Kyrie Irving, Stephen Curry and James Harden.
What are two key dates in your future? I head back to Russia on Aug. 18, and I’m getting married to Jade Vernaci next year on June 14 at the Boca Raton Hotel and Club.
