The Boston Celtics are set to add yet another guard to their training camp squad with the impending signing of former Penn State standout Tim Frazier. After a decorated five-year NCAA career, Frazier worked out for a number of teams prior to the draft and later joined the Philadelphia 76ers for Summer League.
Despite what is already a crowded backcourt in Boston, the team must have seen something in Frazier and is set to bring him into camp and will give him an opportunity to further pursue his NBA dream.
"Full details have yet to be announced, but Penn State will have a player in an NBA camp for the first time since Calvin Booth left the league in 2009*. Originally relayed by Pat Chambers and later confirmed by the athletic department, Tim Frazier has agreed to a contract with the Boston Celtics and will join the team for their upcoming training camp this Fall."
Cory Ciger was the first to report the potential signing on twitter on Monday:
Patrick Chambers said Tim Frazier signed a deal last night with the Boston Celtics. #PennStatehoops
— Cory Giger (@CoryGiger) August 18, 2014
Frazier became Penn State’s all-time leader in assists, racking up 568 over his five-year career. His senior year was cut short due to a ruptured Achilles, causing him to redshirt and return for a fifth season in 2013-14.
The 6’1″, 170-pound point guard averaged 14.9 points, 5.4 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals as he worked his way back from injury. It was Frazier’s junior year that was his most impressive, in the 2011-12 season he averaged 18.8 points, 6.2 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game. He will be hoping to return to that type of form in his second season back from such a significant injury.
Reliant on his passing ability and handle, Tim Frazier is a true point guard who can break down defenders off the dribble and set up his teammates in the half court or on the fast break. He’s a good finisher around the rim for a small guard but his outside shooting is inconsistent at best.
More from Boston Celtics
- Why the new and improved Celtics are a major threat
- These two Celtics will be crucial to unlocking Kristaps Porzingis’ potential
- The new-look Celtics are closer than ever to an 18th title
- 3 Reasons Boston will regret trading Marcus Smart
- Ranking the 5 best available power forwards in 2023 NBA free agency
Throughout his college career his 3-point shooting has fluctuated between .404 in his freshman year to .290 in 2013-14. He joins a number of guards on the Celtics’ roster who are reliant on stronger aspects of their games to make up for lackluster outside shooting ability.
Training camp deals are not guaranteed and it will be an uphill battle for Frazier to work his way into the NBA this season. It is most likely an audition for the Celtics’ staff to see if they believe in him enough to stash him away on the D-League affiliated Maine Red-Claws, but we have seen some success stories come from camp invites in the past.
As recently as last season, Chris Babb went from being a training camp invitation to a D-Leaguer and found his way onto the Celtics’ main roster by the end of the season.
More often than not, these camp invitees wind up in the D-League or overseas, but it does provide a glimmer of hope to players right on the cusp of working their way into the NBA. Frazier is unlikely to ever affect the top of the Celtics’ roster however it could be some insurance in-case last seasons’ undrafted point guard Phil Pressey is moved in a deal prior, or during the season.
It will be worth watching in coming weeks as the Celtics are likely to add more players to their training camp roster and these hopefuls could be drastically affected by any last-minute deals in the offseason.