December 18, 2013
Fraser to sand and sea
Maybe if you're a prospect in Hawaii or certain parts of Florida, the twin lures of San Diego's beaches and weather might not be all that much of a siren song. But add to that participating in 'home' games in front of family and friends at various locations in northern California and, collectively, the call by Turlock High's Kenny Fraser to become a UC San Diego Triton is easy to understand.
The 6-foot-6 Fraser, who is also a member of the Stanco Stampede, has signed to play with Coach Eric Olen, a nine-year San Diego assistant coach who is now running the program. Northern California talents on the La Jolla-based school roster are not an anomaly as Olen has senior guard/forward MacKenzie McCullough out of Jesuit High on his roster as well as junior guard Darryl Wong from Mills High and Foothill College. Justin Brue from Bishop O'Dowd graduated after last year.
So why the Tritons?
“On my visit, I was really comfortable with the coaches and the players and I have a brother at San Diego State,” Fraser explained. “San Diego is not too bad either.”
While in La Jolla on his overnight official, Fraser got to hang out with the current basketball players and also witnessed a team practice plus a scrimmage against a junior college opponent.
From discussions with the coaching staff, Fraser said “I'll be posting up and also playing on the wing, like I do know.”
He possesses a 3.67 grade point average and UC San Diego is known as one of this country's Public Ivy universities.
San Diego is a member of the California Collegiate Athletic Association so there will be Triton road trips to such various outposts as Cal State Stanislaus, Chico State, Sonoma State, Cal State East Bay and San Francisco State which should have numerous familiar faces to Fraser in the stands.
Turlock High currently stands 4-0 early on, with victories over Modesto, McNair, Santa Teresa and Davis. Fraser is averaging 16 points plus 9.5 rebounds a game and he said, “our defense is winning games and we're looking good so far. Our goal is winning league.” The Bulldogs play in the Central Valley Conference.