Scouting Report – Michael Frazier II

Name:   Michael Frazier II        DOB: 3/8/1994 (21)   School: Florida

Height: 6’4          Weight: 194   Projected Position:  SG

2014-15 Stats:

12.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.2 spg, 1.8 tpg (29.2 minutes per game)

41.7 FG%, 87.1 FT%, 38.0 3FG%, 58.5 TS%, 53.8 eFG%

22.6 USG%, 14.0 DREB%, 10.9 AST%, 14.6 TOV%, 2.6 STL%

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SKILLS & ATHLETIC BREAKDOWN

Offense

Perimeter Shooting

Frazier is a very good perimeter shooter, especially from long-range. He does a good job getting square to the basket and into his motion quickly, with good lift and a consistent release point. Frazier is able to hit his shot consistently off the catch or the dribble. He likes to use screens, and as a pick-and-roll ballhandler, he uses them well to create space for his jumper, especially in the mid-range area.  Once he clears his defender, he is able to stop well and lift up into his shot before the help can arrive. Frazier has range out to the NBA three-point line, though he needs to work on getting a bit stronger so he doesn’t have to bring the ball down before getting into his motion off the catch. He uses jab steps and shot fakes well to create a little space when needed, and his quick release means he doesn’t need too much room. Frazier’s shot selection is generally good, and he seems to stay confident with his shot, even when they aren’t falling. Frazier has improved his ability to move without the ball, using screens to get open, and often using multiple moves to shake a tough defender.

Ballhandling/Penetration/Passing

Frazier is an average ballhandler, with the ability to use both hands well, and able to attack the basket in either direction.  Frazier has a good first step, helped by the fact that defenders need to come out and guard his jumper, and though he doesn’t have great acceleration, he keeps his head up and shows good body control, as well as some nice bounce around the basket. Frazier is much stronger looking to finish with his right hand around the basket, though he has shown some ability to finish with left, and he can have trouble with long defenders around the basket, so he needs to be creative to find shots, though he doesn’t mind taking some contact. He needs to learn to use angles well around the basket to help him get good shots off against long defenders. Frazier has improved a lot as a pick-and-roll ballhandler, and his passing ability may be a bit underrated. Many good passes this season should have been easy assists, but his teammates just couldn’t finish. He makes his reads quickly, though he sometimes hesitates to pull the trigger on tough passes, opting for the simple one. Frazier has the tools as a ballhandler, combined with his feel for the game, to become a strong facilitator on offense.

Free Throw Shooting

Frazier is an excellent free throw shooter, with a consistent routine, smooth motion and good release. With almost 65 percent of his shots coming from behind the arc, Frazier doesn’t get to the line that often, but he does do a good job getting to the free throw line when he attacks the basket or is out in transition.

Defense

Perimeter Defense (On/Off Ball)

Overall, Frazier is an average perimeter defender, though he has plenty of moments where he shows he can be a much better defender. On the ball, he positions himself well between his man and the basket, and shows good lateral movement over short distances, though his foot speed could be quicker and he needs to watch crossing his feet. Frazier has the ability to pick up the ball full-court, though he can have some trouble reacting to changes in direction, and he will sometimes play on his heels when in isolation. Frazier needs to work on getting over screens quicker; he has some trouble getting caught in screens, and he can be slow getting over the top, sometimes forcing a switch.  Off the ball, Frazier positions himself well and he plays passing lanes well. His reaction time is much better off the ball, and he can be very quick to help on penetration. Frazier does a good job navigating through screens off the ball, and using angles well to meet his man after being run through multiple screens. His defensive awareness is good, and you can see him constantly scanning the floor as he guards his man. Frazier does need to watch cheating too much towards the lane to help, especially when he is guarding a good shooter. Frazier closes well on perimeter shooters, though he needs to watch falling for shot fakes, including when he is trying to recover after helping around the lane.

Rebounding

Frazier is a decent rebounder for his size, tracking shots well and looking to get into position quickly. Frazier does a good job looking to box out, especially keeping players from charging from the perimeter to the glass. When he does secure a rebound, he has the ability to push the ball up the floor himself and get the team out in transition.

Transition

Frazier is very good about pushing the ball up court, with good vision and control. He doesn’t have very good acceleration in the open floor, but he looks to change directions often on his way up the floor to keep defenders off-balance. Frazier is much better looking to take the ball himself to the basket than he is looking for a teammate, though he can have some problems challenging long defenders around the rim.  Frazier is also capable of getting out on one of the wings on the break, where he can set up behind the arc, or take the ball off the dribble to the rim. He will rush shots sometimes on the break, but if he gets his feet set, he can hit from behind the arc consistently.

Intangibles/Summary

After two very good seasons, where Frazier hit 170 out of 375 three-point shots (45.3%), injuries and the loss of Scottie Wilbekin at point guard seemed to prevent him from taking a big leap his junior year. He missed most of February with an ankle injury, and even when he returned in early March, his game was a bit off. Still, Frazier is career 43 percent shooter from long-range, and he also showed some versatility as a transition scorer, ballhandler and passer, and an improving ability to get into the lane. Also, Frazier was a career 135 of 158 from the free throw line, good for 85 percent. Defensively, he was inconsistent, but he showed he can be a solid on and off-ball defender, with the skill and athletic ability to pick up the ball full court when needed. It would have been nice to see Frazier’s versatility on offense more in his three years, but he was Florida’s one consistent long-range shooter the past two seasons. Staying for his senior year may have helped Frazier, though he needs the opportunity to expand more beyond his role as a shooter.                

Draft Value:  Early- Mid 2^nd Round – #35-45

At 6’4, Frazier is a bit on the small side for an NBA shooting guard, so his best bet could be to spend some time overseas or in the D-League working on becoming more of a versatile scorer-distributor. His shooting ability from long-range will be attractive to a lot of teams, and he has the ability to be a high-level defender, he just needs to become more consistent. Frazier is the kind of player who may be worth the second-round pick to teams with a strong developmental system in place to bring out the rest of his abilities.

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