Sky Frazier has been dropped

[MoState417]

Frazier dropped from Missouri State basketball team

Junior center Sky Frazier has been dropped from the Missouri State basketball team, coach Barry Hinson said today.

Hinson, on his way to practice Thursday afternoon, did not immediately release details. He did say Fraizer would remain on scholarship until May, when he is scheduled to gradaute.

The 6-foot-10 Fraizer appeared in six of nine games this season, averaging 2.7 points and 2.5 rebounds. Fraizer sat out his freshman season as redshirt, recovering from a foot injury.

The Borgia High School graduate started 17 games as a sophomore, averaging 7 points and 4.1 rebounds. He averaged 3.5 points and 2.2 rebounds as a freshman.

[DawgieStyle]

Frazier dropped from Missouri State basketball team

Junior center Sky Frazier has been dropped from the Missouri State basketball team, coach Barry Hinson said today.

Hinson, on his way to practice Thursday afternoon, did not immediately release details. He did say Fraizer would remain on scholarship until May, when he is scheduled to gradaute.

The 6-foot-10 Fraizer appeared in six of nine games this season, averaging 2.7 points and 2.5 rebounds. Fraizer sat out his freshman season as redshirt, recovering from a foot injury.

The Borgia High School graduate started 17 games as a sophomore, averaging 7 points and 4.1 rebounds. He averaged 3.5 points and 2.2 rebounds as a freshman.

that sucks.

[tgcshock]

Frazier dropped from Missouri State basketball team

Junior center Sky Frazier has been dropped from the Missouri State basketball team, coach Barry Hinson said today.

Hinson, on his way to practice Thursday afternoon, did not immediately release details. He did say Fraizer would remain on scholarship until May, when he is scheduled to gradaute.

The 6-foot-10 Fraizer appeared in six of nine games this season, averaging 2.7 points and 2.5 rebounds. Fraizer sat out his freshman season as redshirt, recovering from a foot injury.

The Borgia High School graduate started 17 games as a sophomore, averaging 7 points and 4.1 rebounds. He averaged 3.5 points and 2.2 rebounds as a freshman.

Thanks for the info. I'm assuming that no one knows anything more than is in the press release at this point???

[DoubleJayAlum]

How many minutes was he averaging?

[DawgieStyle]

based on the stats given the only real thing it hurts is bench depth to give fouls....but maybe I'm wrong, I dont know much about him, other than the cool name sky....how can a guy with the name sky not be an all american...its just too cool lol.

[Canevision]

based on the stats given the only real thing it hurts is bench depth to give fouls....but maybe I'm wrong, I dont know much about him, other than the cool name sky....how can a guy with the name sky not be an all american...its just too cool lol.

His name is Roy Sky Frazier..

[WSUbballer]

His name is Roy Sky Frazier..
Now I know why he stuck with Sky...:innocent:

But in all seriousness, that's a tough break for MSU. I know he didnt score alotta points, but I know his body was regularly needed. I am too curious what his average minutes were. Looked like a good kid, I wonder what the problem was..

[douglasdmb]

I wonder what the problem was..

This pretty much says it all...

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/7817/sky1dc4.jpg

[MikeKennedyRulz]

Is there anything about this on the MSU athletics website? :innocent:

BTW, he looks really interested in what the coaches have to say in that picture. From what I have seen, this won't be much of a loss for MSU.

[DawgFan]

That's great news for SWOMSPS-WP-U.

Frazier was a dolt and now I don't feel so bad saying his mother was amongs the most classless fans I've come across. And that includes myself.

[Nyghtewynd]

Interesting. It must not have been an accident that he pretty much dropped off of the face of the earth this year. I'll listen to Art and see if he says anything about it.

[Canevision]

Now I know why he stuck with Sky...:innocent:

But in all seriousness, that's a tough break for MSU. I know he didnt score alotta points, but I know his body was regularly needed. I am too curious what his average minutes were. Looked like a good kid, I wonder what the problem was..

This really does nothing to hurt MSU. He didn't even play.

He was as irrelevant as Dex is, and if we need another body, we'll use him. When he did come in, he would pile up the fouls and turnovers, all the while looking completely disinterested.

In fact, the team knew had to feel a little uneasy about the problems earlier in the year, and maybe had a feeling of if the other shoe was going to drop.

Apparently that shoe dropped, so now maybe the team can get on with the season and not have to worry about whether the situation was going to get better or not, and whether there was a situation at all.

:bears: :valley:

[smsandmsuson]

How does it not hurt MSU...Yes he may not have had his head in it at that beginning but I thought for sure that last game he was going to turn it around finally now...

Guess what, who is behind Drew after/when he gets in foul trouble?

A stinkin walk on!! Dont get me wrong, I praise the kid for putting in the work but he is not a D1 player. We will be seeing a lot more smaller sized lineup now and lets up we can just try and out run run run teams then...We have any sort of battle inside, we will be eaten alive by UNI, WSU, SIU, CU and others...

[Canevision]

How does it not hurt MSU...Yes he may not have had his head in it at that beginning but I thought for sure that last game he was going to turn it around finally now...

Guess what, who is behind Drew after/when he gets in foul trouble?

A stinkin walk on!! Dont get me wrong, I praise the kid for putting in the work but he is not a D1 player. We will be seeing a lot more smaller sized lineup now and lets up we can just try and out run run run teams then...We have any sort of battle inside, we will be eaten alive by UNI, WSU, SIU, CU and others...

That walk-on, regardless of if you like him or not, has been ten times the player Sky has every game of this year. Rausch is a better player, not more talented, but he has proven he is better to the coaches by his play in practice and on the court.

Dex and Kyle both were ahead of Sky on the depth chart, and Sky would have MAYBE averaged 4-5 minutes a game from here on out.

You think Sky was going to somehow stop us from being eaten alive by those other teams from the bench?

[Nyghtewynd]

According to Art he's dropping from the team in order to "concentrate on his schoolwork". It's interesting that you get to keep your scholarship and at the same time not do what your scholarship involves.

Face it--Sky was behind Rausch because Rausch is a better player than he is. He's been a very good player in Sky's place, and Sky's averaging less than five minutes a game. It's a loss, but if we need fouls we have Dextroy on the bench, and he can foul with the rest of them. It's a loss, but a relatively minimal loss.

[smsandmsuson]

That walk-on, regardless of if you like him or not, has been ten times the player Sky has every game of this year. Rausch is a better player, not more talented, but he has proven he is better to the coaches by his play in practice and on the court.

Dex and Kyle both were ahead of Sky on the depth chart, and Sky would have MAYBE averaged 4-5 minutes a game from here on out.

You think Sky was going to somehow stop us from being eaten alive by those other teams from the bench?


I will give it to you while Sky had his head up his butt Kyle was playing better...But you cant say that Sky isnt not better...I really thought that Sky made a turn for the better at UNCW...And I have nothing but praise for the work KR had put in and cheered everytime that he got in last year but he will be eaten alive inside against Shaw, Coleman, Tolliver and Wilson...

[genius4point0]

This now opens us up to a whole attack. Look for teams to go inside and pound Drew and try to get him in foul trouble. Rausch tries hard but gets pushed around a lot and can't hold his position. At least with Sky he was big enough to hold his position. Also Sky was the one who came in against UNC-W when Drew got in early foul trouble, not Rausch. This hurts MSU any way you look at it.

[Canevision]

This now opens us up to a whole attack. Look for teams to go inside and pound Drew and try to get him in foul trouble. Rausch tries hard but gets pushed around a lot and can't hold his position. At least with Sky he was big enough to hold his position. Also Sky was the one who came in against UNC-W when Drew got in early foul trouble, not Rausch. This hurts MSU any way you look at it.

Disagree.

[Nyghtewynd]

Sky doesn't want to play any more. He quit on the team, and he quit on the year. How is having a guy around who quit better than a guy who wants to be on the team?

[smsandmsuson]

Disagree.

I dont see how you can.

[Canevision]

I dont see how you can.

Disagree again.

[TNMSUFAN]

I disagree also...teams aren't going to pound us inside any different because Sky wasn't playing much to start with. You can't tell me that Rausch and Dex aren't as effective as this years Sky. The 5 in our offense just needs to set screens, play some defense, and get some rebounds which Rausch and Dex can do.

Sky was a DNP in 3 games and played 3 minutes against Toledo, 2 minutes against Wisconsin, and 3 minutes against Santa Clara. His only double digit games were blow outs.

[genius4point0]

Have you watched the games or just listened on the Radio??

[genius4point0]

And Dex is a star, keep dreaming. Sky was moved to the number 2 obviously during UNC-W. I don't see how you can say that when a player started 17 games the previous season losing him isn't going to hurt. It will and like I posted on letsgobears it will likly cost us about 3-4 games this year. I would like to get the opinions of some valleytalk posters and not just letsgobears posters.

[TNMSUFAN]

Are you talking to me? I haven't missed but a handful of home games since the early 80's and I travel to several away games. I never said Rausch is a star and sure didn't say Dex was a star but Sky averaged 5 minutes 2.4pts and 2.3rbs per game so he sure as heck isn't a "star". Sky got to play at UNC Wilmington because Drew got into foul trouble. For the record Sky played 9 minutes there had 2pts 2rbs while Rausch played 10 minutes with 6pts 5rbs...who exactly was #2?

[jdoolsiu]

I want to hear more as to how classless his mom was.
heh.

[JerryBearSeinfeld]

Few people on LGB.com said he quit the team about 3 weeks ago, than the coaches talked him into staying.

[Nyghtewynd]

And Dex is a star, keep dreaming. Sky was moved to the number 2 obviously during UNC-W. I don't see how you can say that when a player started 17 games the previous season losing him isn't going to hurt. It will and like I posted on letsgobears it will likly cost us about 3-4 games this year. I would like to get the opinions of some valleytalk posters and not just letsgobears posters.

If "losing a player who started 17 games the previous season" would hurt the team to the tune of 3-4 games, wouldn't it have done so already? After all, Sky has essentially been MIA most of the year.

[smsandmsuson]

If "losing a player who started 17 games the previous season" would hurt the team to the tune of 3-4 games, wouldn't it have done so already? After all, Sky has essentially been MIA most of the year.

No because we have hardly played anyone...Remember the the guy who is the second option at center. What did he do right before the first half ended against Wisconsin? Yeah, I really want him in the game when it counts.

[Canevision]

Have you watched the games or just listened on the Radio??

I have gone to school at MO St. for close to six years now, and I have maybe missed 3 games in that timeframe. Two of those games I listened to on the radio.

To answer your question, I have watched the games yes.

[DawgFan]

For public consumption, she was an obnoxious fan at SIU Arena a time or two.

[troutangler]

If Sky is playing at his best, he is better than Rausch. The only problem is that Sky hasn't played at his best since last year, and Rausch was outplaying him this year. I would rather have a motivated Rausch who is playing his butt off and steadily improving over Frazier, who hasn't looked like he's given a rat's a** this year.

If he was a cancer, which is what it sounds like, then him leaving is the best thing for both parties.

genius4point0, if him not playing was going to lose games for us, it would have already happened. We didn't lose to OSU because of him not playing much, and we've won every other game with him barely playing. I think we'll be okay.

[Mc Bulldog]

A few posts ago a MS poster asked what other MVC fan's opinion were .. I'm not a Sky expert but it seemed last year when I saw him play 4-5 times I thought he was effective. But if his head is a screwed up about basketball then there isn't much anyone can do about it. Sorry about the stituation, or loss, or whatever you call it.

[genius4point0]

So what team other than Wisconsin and and OSU have any post presence at all...........Keep thinking. NONE. When we play teams in the Valley, UNI CU WSU, it will hurt. Ask anyone that supports another Valley team who they would rather see come in off the bench for MSU, Sky or Rausch, and 95% would say Rausch.
None of this matters now though because Sky is not an option. I still think not having him will hurt us later this season and we could see it as soon as Monday night against SLU who has an NBA prospect in Vouyoukus(sp). I hope I am wrong but at this point I feel I am right.

[redbirdtim]

Anytime you lose a player, it will hurt you. Doesn't matter if he doesn't play a lot, I'm sure there was a lot of contributions in practice as well. I won't get into speculating why he left, and I will trust it is for academic reasons. Best of luck to him in the future.

[Canevision]

I won't get into speculating why he left, and I will trust it is for academic reasons.

Just to clarify (I know you didn't disparage in any way), but Sky didn't leave for "issues" he supposedly left to "focus" on academics.

He is an extremely good student, who has a GPA over 3.5. He was an academic Honor roll recipient every semester while on the team.

[TNMSUFAN]

Santa Clara had 4 guys 6'10" or bigger and UNC Wilmington's best player was their 6'10" 255lb center who was averaging 16pts and 12rbs coming into our game. I guess those guys don't count as a "post presence". I agree that Sky is a better basketball player than Rausch or Dex but he hasn't been playing better than either one of them this year and that is all that counts. Talent doesn't mean jack if your head is somewhere else. I go to practices and he wasn't playing better there either and was often goofing off instead of focusing on basketball. The entire team had to run the other day because Sky wasn't paying attention during a scouting report on UNC Wilmington. There is a reason he isn't on the team anymore.

[genius4point0]

I never he should still be on the team. I know nothing other than what I have read on the talk sites. I am just saying I think it will hurt to not have him. If he was a big problem then he needed to be off the team, just because you have talent doesn't give you the right to hurt the rest of team. I do however feel most of this could have been avoided without the coaching staff being all over him like others have said they were. I hope we are a better team without him, but until I see evidence that we have another quality option at the 5 I think it will be hard to be better, especially when Drew gets in foul trouble.

We ran the crap out of Santa Clara and I don't know much about UNC-W and didn't see the game only heard it on the radio and seemed like it was a 3-pt fest and they didn't try to hard to give the big man the ball. Either the backups did well to not let him get the ball or the gaurds pressured and made passes to the interior harder. I doubt we continue to run in the conference season, lsat year we ran during OOC and then come conference time it was back to Barry's offense. So unless he decides to change from what he has done in the past I don't see us running in conference although I think we could have great success with our depth at the gaurd position and the number of players that can handle the ball.

[TNMSUFAN]

UNC Wilmington's big was 4-10 from the floor and took more shots than any of the other starters or bench guys. He had 9pts and 9rbs for the game.

I agree that not having Sky could hurt us but the way he was playing this year he sure wasn't helping us. We have 3 guys at the 5 and hopefully they will get it done.

[Canevision]

Barry has changed SEVERAL times as a coach at Missouri St.

He softened his no zone stance for the betterment of the team. He turned to a secondary break "Kansas" offense for the betterment of the team. He incorporated a motion offense into our offense to get better looks for some of our shooters.

Barry gets a lot of crud from MSU fans, many of which may have been warranted, but the stigma that he won't change or be flexible for the good of the team is just wrong.

I also find it hard to believe there are people out there with the opinion that the coaches shouldn't have been hard on Sky, when I'd imagine 99% of those people do not know any particulars (myself included) and whether or not Sky deserved it.

:bears: :valley:

[SubGod22]

I'll chime in here. From seeing Sky play a few times last year I would say it's a loss. He can be a pretty solid player when he wants to be. However, from what I've seen this year, he didn't seem to care much about anything and wasn't the same player. Losing him will hurt a little, but with the way things were going, I don't think it will really hurt that much.

[TNMSUFAN]

In a release issued by Missouri State, Frazier said: "I want to use the rest of my time here at Missouri State to focus on academics and to finish my undergraduate degree next spring. I've enjoyed playing basketball throughout my time here, but I think focusing solely on my school work next semester is more in my long-term best interests and I'm comfortable with that decision. I wish the coaching staff and my teammates nothing but the best for the remainder of the season and in the future."

The 6-foot-10 Fraizer appeared in six of nine games this season, averaging 2.7 points and 2.5 rebounds. Fraizer sat out his freshman season as redshirt, recovering from a foot injury.

The Borgia High School graduate started 17 games as a sophomore, averaging 7 points and 4.1 rebounds. He averaged 3.5 points and 2.2 rebounds as a freshman.

"Sky Frazier has had an impact on our basketball program as a player, and, much more importantly, on our entire university family as a quality young man," Hinson said in the release. "We appreciate what Sky has done for the Bears and we wish him nothing but success in all his future endeavors. We are extremely proud that Sky plans to remain in school and complete his undergraduate degree in 2007."

[Aargh]

There may be academic eligibility issues here. Or maybe Sky just gave up trying and used an excuse that usually indicates academic issues.

I've always had more respect for Bilyeu than most MSU fans and I've always thought Richards was a respected Valley frontcourt player.

I hate to put it this way, but WSU fans have always been delighted to see Frazier on the floor.

I'm looking forward to seeing MSU in the top-25 . I doubt Frazier's absence will affect MSU's success in any way.

[rchif0]

There may be academic eligibility issues here. Or maybe Sky just gave up trying and used an excuse that usually indicates academic issues.

I've always had more respect for Bilyeu than most MSU fans and I've always thought Richards was a respected Valley frontcourt player.

I hate to put it this way, but WSU fans have always been delighted to see Frazier on the floor.

I'm looking forward to seeing MSU in the top-25 . I doubt Frazier's absence will affect MSU's success in any way.
He's on an academic scholarship, not an athletic one, and he's been on the honor roll for.. well, ever.

[LincolnJay]

From an outsiders perspective, Frazier provided matchup issues due to being able to shoot outside. This would pull your center away from the basket and weaken your rebounding. I thought he was a decent MVC level center - kinda surprised he wasn't playing much.

I just don't remember who Rausch is and haven't seen the juco play yet so no comment there.

[wufan]

WSU played all of last year with three bigs and is doing the same this year. We 6-5, 6-8 and bring in a 6-7 kid. There is no reason that MSU can't have similar success with three or four bigs, even if some are undersized. BTW, WSUs three players all play bigger than Sky did, despite the height difference.

Also, last year WSUs SF off the bench, Jared Young, quit during Christmas break leaving us with ONE SF in a league that has been generally dominated by SG/SF players. We were still able to have a pretty decent season (I'm understating here).

What would have been best for MSU is to have Sky step up like he was capable of. He chose not to, with that being the case this is BEST for the team.

[SubGod22]

WSU played all of last year with three bigs and is doing the same this year. We 6-5, 6-8 and bring in a 6-7 kid. There is no reason that MSU can't have similar success with three or four bigs, even if some are undersized. BTW, WSUs three players all play bigger than Sky did, despite the height difference.

Also, last year WSUs SF off the bench, Jared Young, quit during Christmas break leaving us with ONE SF in a league that has been generally dominated by SG/SF players. We were still able to have a pretty decent season (I'm understating here).

What would have been best for MSU is to have Sky step up like he was capable of. He chose not to, with that being the case this is BEST for the team.

Not a big deal, but JY didn't quit. He got the boot.

[smsandmsuson]

Not a big deal, but JY didn't quit. He got the boot.

Speaking of JY, he is playing at my school here now in Bolivar,Missouri...What did you guys think of him? Ive seen a couple of games now and havent been to impresses considering he was a D1 transfer...

[SubGod22]

JY was a decent talent. Handled the ball alright and could shoot from outside. I think he had a problem with not shooting the ball 20 times a game though and that effected him. The guy's a scorer and needs to be able to do so. That wasn't happening at WSU and he had some issues because of that I think. All in all though probably not a bad player if he can get over himself a little.

[BEARNUT]

What I want to know is:

What was Sky's line vs. POB last year at Hammon's?
I know that one game doesn't make a great basketball player but at least from last years performances he was a solid player. I would like to see that line vs. POB, anyone?

[TNMSUFAN]

The fact that he had that good game against POB was my biggest problem with Sky. That is the only game I can remember in his career here where he played his guts out from start to finish. If he brought that much energy every day in practice and every game he played in we wouldn't have a thread talking about him leaving the program.

[3baller]

He hit a huge 3 against us in the 2005 MVC tournament. UNI was closing the gap and then he hit it to basically open the gates.

I'm surprised he wasn't getting more minutes than that.

[dab212s]

IMO, Sky was pretty decent when he wasn't turning the ball over every time he touched it.

Unfortunately... he did turn the ball over. A lot. And it worried me when he would go in the game when it was a tight score.

ps, i like this icon... :wheelchair:

[rchif0]

He was also a center that couldn't rebound. Hands of stone.

[bearhair]

Its kind of a " What have you done for us lately" scenario.

This year against UNC Wilmington.....(considered a fair game for Sky)..he had 2 pts and 2 rbs in 9 minutes. While Rausch had 6 pts and 5 rbs in 10 minutes. Granted we give up 2 inches between the 6-10 Frazier and 6-8 Rausch but perhaps gain more scoring, boards, hustle and better attitude will help to offset the difference. The only negative I see is bench depth. From what some have said, he may have been having a negative effect on the team. Since it is a mute issue as to whether or not Sky will be on the team...... we can only look at the positives.

[rchif0]

Local paper had an article today:
Sky Frazier's basketball career at Missouri State is over after his decision on Thursday to leave the team and focus on academics.
The 6-foot-10 fourth-year junior will retain his basketball scholarship through May, when he is scheduled to graduate with a degree in business. He plans a career in human resources.

Frazier said Thursday night that he was comfortable with his decision, calling it "just my time to turn my focus to my studies."

Frazier appeared in six of the Bears' nine games this season as a third-string center, averaging 2.7 points and 2.5 rebounds in 6.7 minutes. He started 20 of 62 games his first two seasons, averaging 4.9 points and 3.4 rebounds.

The departure means additional playing time for junior transfer Dex Manswell behind starter Drew Richards and No. 2 center Kyle Rausch, who had supplanted Frazier since the start of the season.

"Dex will get more opportunities and Kyle has to be the player we anticipate he can be," coach Barry Hinson said. "He has made great progress and he will continue to make great progress.

"Dex's decision not to redshirt certainly is going to pay off. Things happen for a reason. We move forward."

Frazier came to Missouri State as a highly regarded recruit from Borgia High School in Washington, Mo. But he battled foot and ankle injuries during his career and sat out his first season at Missouri State while rehabilitating a broken foot.

When at his best, Frazier was a factor on the offensive end, shooting 57 percent from the field and 71 percent from the free-throw line as a sophomore. But he often he found himself in foul trouble last season, fouling out 10 times to tie a school record.

Teammate Blake Ahearn said while it's unfortunate that Frazier is leaving the team, it's good to know he is staying in school and getting his degree.

"Any time something like this happens, it's sad," Ahearn said. "A lot of guys are close to him and he's a good kid. Unfortunately, he had to leave (basketball) early, but in the end it's what is best for Sky.

"The choice that was made was the right decision for everybody."

Frazier said he's leaving open the option of playing one more season of basketball as a graduate student somewhere else.

"I wouldn't mind doing that," he said. "That's not at the top of my list right now, but if the opportunity came about I might do that."

The Bears, meanwhile, had a second straight grueling practice as they finished final exams and prepared for Saturday's Missouri Valley Conference opener against Indiana State.

"Coach hasn't made it easy for us these last couple of days; we've gone as hard as we have all year," Ahearn said. "He's definitely set the tone so we'll be ready to go."

[Canevision]

"Any time something like this happens, it's sad," Ahearn said. "A lot of guys are close to him and he's a good kid. Unfortunately, he had to leave (basketball) early, but in the end it's what is best for Sky.

"The choice that was made was the right decision for everybody."


Tells me a lot when one of our senior leaders says something like this.

:bears: :valley:

[genius4point0]

Aren't Blake and Sky roommates?

[Canevision]

Aren't Blake and Sky roommates?

I don't know if they are or not. I know Drew Richards is his best friend on the team.

[smsandmsuson]

Aren't Blake and Sky roommates?

I think that they are

[douglasdmb]

Aren't Blake and Sky roommates?


Yeah, I'm pretty sure. I think they're best friends, too.

[Canevision]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure. I think they're best friends, too.

....

[TNMSUFAN]

Don't much about the friends thing but I know I see Blake and Drew together at high school and Drury games