Florida G Michael Frazier II Declares for NBA Draft

Reports surfaced Thursday that Florida Gators guard Michael Frazier II will declare for June’s NBA Draft.  The star junior averaged 12.1 points, while being one of the lone bright spots in a season that saw the Gators struggle to a 16-17 record.  Florida failed to qualify for the postseason altogether for the first time in recent memory, and Frazier decided it was in his best interests to pursue his NBA career following the horrific year.

Frazier’s junior campaign was riddled with injuries as he sustained a sprained right ankle against the top-ranked Kentucky Wildcats that ultimately forced him to miss seven games.  When Frazier returned, he failed to show the same explosiveness off the floor and didn’t display the same skill sets that made him such a hot commodity entering college.

Some NBA scouts have Frazier rated as a second round pick, but his 6-foot-9 wingspan make him an extremely interesting prospect heading into the combine.  If Frazier is able to make a full recovery from the lingering ankle problem, he should be highly valued by NBA franchises, and it wouldn’t surprise anyone if his name was called as early as the middle of the first round.

Meanwhile, Florida loses their top player and scoring threat from the worst team since head coach Billy Donovan’s first season coaching the the program.  Donovan has been recruiting some of the best from the state of Florida, but not many incoming freshman are capable of replacing Frazier’s production.  The Gators, however, will have to try their best, but now its Frazier’s time to show scouts why he’s worthy of a first round selection.

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*Section Photo credit to Andy Lyons, Getty Images; Featured Photo (above) credit to USA Today Sports.

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