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Florida guard Michael Frazier II had a breakout sophomore season, setting a school-record for 3-pointers in a season (118) while helping lead the Gators to their fifth Final Four appearance in school history.
But, according to former Florida standout guard Teddy Dupay, the best could be yet to come for UF’s lone returning starter next season.
Dupay has worked out with Frazier “three or four times a week” so far this offseason in Frazier’s native Tampa.
“He’s improved so much,” Dupay said. “He’s going to be a completely different player. He’ll be in position to do a lot more in-the-shotclock stuff, fill that void that Scottie (Wilbekin) has sort of left behind. At the same time, he’s really committed to stepping up as a leader, his leadership role on defense, his conditioning, both ends of the court and really helping those guys now that are just now coming in.”
Frazier averaged 13.7 points per game last season while shooting 41.8 percent from 3-point range. It was a season of highs and lows. Frazier scored 37 points in a Florida win last March at South Carolina, the most for a Florida player in a game since Joakim Noah in 2006. But Frazier also was limited to just 3 points in a Final Four loss to Connecticut after being blanketed on defense by UConn guards Ryan Boatright and Shabazz Napier.
Frazier has been working on creating more off to dribble in an effort to be more a consistent scorer. Dupay, who helped guide Florida to the first of its four Final Fours under Billy Donovan in 2000, also has been impressed with Frazier’s leadership ability.
“He’s continuing that culture of, OK, we’re the Florida Gators and we’re supposed to win every night out,” Dupay said. “And that requires a high level of energy every day in practice and he’s ready for that leadership. Boy, is he a good kid.”
Source: GatorSports.com - Hoops Scoop
