Sep 12 2023 49 mins
Tim Frazier was told he was too small and weak to play contact sports. But sibling rivalry fueled him to prove his doubters wrong and propelled him to a basketball scholarship with Penn. There, his stellar play at the point earned Tim All Big Ten honors. Yet disaster loomed, and he tore his Achilles just a few months later. Looking at the game through his coaches’ eyes, he turned a negative into a positive and worked his way back onto the court with courage and determination.
In his senior year, Tim’s pure point guard skills and improved shooting got him back in contention for the NBA draft, but he never heard his name called. He worked out for several teams, including the Philadelphia 76ers and made the Boston Celtics’ summer league squad. He was playing in the D League in Maine when he got the call from the 76ers, who needed cover because of injuries. Avery Bradley had to lend Tim shoes because his were locked in his team’s practice facility. Tim had a series of short stays with multiple NBA teams, before getting a two-year deal with New Orleans. He played for 9 seasons in the league, before taking his talents to Greece and France.
In this episode, Tim dishes on:
- What mental tools he used to come back strong after tearing his Achilles and stay in the NBA
- Why his draft workout led to the 76ers drafting Joel Embiid
- How he apprenticed under Rajon Rondo and Damian Lillard
- Why he and trainer Phil Beckner almost came to blows
- How his faith has kept him strong through adversity
- What athletes can do to level up on the court and in life
- How pro basketball games in Greece involve fans throwing flares, coins, and more
Keep up with Tim on his Instagram feed @timfraz23