Illinois Basketball: Illini thank you letter to Trent Frazier
On August 21, 2016, the Illinois basketball team received a commitment from a player who would help change the future of the program.
That is the day Trent Frazier would pledge his talents to the Orange and Blue. A day that would forever change the path of a once prestigious program. But it wasn’t always an easy path for Frazier and the Illini.
Narrowing down to his top eight in July 2016, Frazier had Georgia, Rhode Island, VCU, Seton Hall, Memphis, SMU, Kansas State and Illinois all vying for his commitment. Even before this list cut, though, Frazier was naming Illinois as his favorite program.
After his list cut in July, Frazier would then take an official visit to Champaign on August 19. He had a great relationship with the Illini before this trip, but this official visit sealed the deal and on August 21, Frazier made his commitment to the Orange and Blue.
Fast forward nearly seven months to the day, on March 11, 2017, Illinois basketball fired head coach John Groce. The coach who recruited Frazier and all of his talent. A coaching firing tends to enable recruits to reopen their availability and find another program to land with.
That isn’t how Frazier rolls, though.
Just seven days after the firing of Groce, Frazier came out with a strong statement on Twitter.
Will not be decommitting.For next 4 years I will be continuing at The University of Illinois🔶🔷Looking forward to play for an awesome coach!!
— Trent Frazier (@trentfrazier) March 19, 2017
March 18, 2017, is the day Frazier kept with his commitment and it is also the day Illinois would hire new head coach, Brad Underwood. Despite a couple of other members of the Illinois class of 2017 decided to back out of their commitment, Frazier continued strong and was determined to suit up for the Illini.
When Frazier would get to Champaign, things didn’t go as well as one would hope in the first couple of seasons. A 14-18 record as a freshman, which was followed up by a 12-21 campaign as a sophomore, made for a rocky start to his career. But, again, Frazier didn’t waver. He didn’t bail on the team when things got tough.
In addition to Frazier not bailing on the team, Coach Underwood brought in more talent when Frazier was a sophomore. This was Frazier’s team as a freshman, but as a sophomore, Ayo Dosunmu and Andres Feliz came in, and roles had to start changing.
Frazier didn’t even blink an eye.
Without hesitation, Frazier adapted to his new role and knew what he had to do for the team to win. He did whatever it took for the Illini to get better. By his junior year, Frazier let Ayo have the spotlight. He would continue developing his defensive capabilities and become one of the best defenders we have seen for the Illini in decades.
With all of that being said, I want to say thank you, Trent. Thank you for all you have done for this program and for me as a fan. Thank you for sticking with us through losing, a coaching change, more losing and a downgraded offensive role.
Thank you for showing Illini Nation and fans across the country that when things change, you don’t need to bail on your team. When things get tough, that doesn’t mean you leave a program high and dry. Thank you for being the most unselfish basketball player I have ever watched play the game.
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Finally, I want to say thank you for being a great example of a human being. The passion, drive and will to win will never be forgotten with this fan. While we didn’t get to the pinnacle of the college basketball world this season, you will always be a champion in the minds and hearts of Illini Nation. Thank you for everything #1.