Illinois Fighting Illini Head Coach Bruce Weber announced today that former Fighting Illini point guard Chester Frazier has joined the UI staff. Frazier, an Illini point guard from 2006-09, will serve as graduate assistant/video coordinator. He is enrolled in the university’s master’s degree program in educational policy studies. You might recall during his senior season that EVERY media outlet mentioned how Frazier wanted to become a coach, every time his name came up/he was shown on screen.
On Tuesday, he began that very journey.
“We are excited to have Chester back on campus and part of our staff,” Weber said.
“Chester had success in Germany last season and had the opportunity to return to Europe to continue his professional career. But his goal is to one day become a college coach and he has decided to begin pursuing that dream now. While he cannot coach in this position, he will gain valuable experience in every other aspect of the business that will prepare him to become a coach down the road.” Weber continued.
Frazier was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection and team MVP as a senior in 2009. He led the conference in assists and assist-to-turnover ratio. Frazier averaged 5.7 points and was one of the best rebounding point guards nationally, averaging 4.8 per game. Known for his toughness and strength as a defender, Frazier played in 125 career games, starting 88. A two-time team captain, he ranks seventh all-time at Illinois with 484 assists and logged 3,566 minutes, the ninth-highest total in school history.
He really couldn’t shoot the ball even into the ocean, but his leadership and defense were vital. Take a look at the dropoff from ’08-’09 to last season for evidence of this.