Just days after playing in the NCAA tournament, Oscar Frayer, a forward on the men’s basketball team at Grand Canyon University, died Tuesday in a vehicle accident near Lodi, California, the school’s athletics department said Thursday.
Frayer, 23, his older sister Andrea Moore, and a friend died in the crash, the Antelopes’ athletics department said. The third person was not identified yet by the San Joaquin County Coroner’s Office, according to the athletics department.
Grand Canyon, seeded 15th in the NCAA tournament, lost to No. 2 seed Iowa in the round of 64 on Saturday in Indianapolis, Indiana. Frayer scored eight points in his final game. This was Grand Canyon’s first men’s NCAA tournament appearance.
After the game, Frayer tweeted, “I bleed purple FOREVER!!!! THANK YOU LOPE NATION for the last 5 years..it’s been nothing less than amazing..from President Mueller, to our coaching staff, to my brothers who I compete with everyday..it’s love FOREVER. 4 Gone”
His dad died in a car accident
A redshirt senior from Oakland, California, Frayer was the son of Oscar Frayer and Bionca Sparrow. The elder Oscar Frayer died in a car accident when young Oscar was 7, according to a story on the athletics department website.
Frayer graduated from Moreau Catholic High School in Hayward, California. After logging a career-high 30 starts as a junior, Frayer was academically ineligible in the 2019-2020 season. But he had the opportunity to return for the Lopes to play one final season, starting 24 games, and graduating with a degree in communications. He was to walk at commencement next month.
“We love O,” Grand Canyon head coach Bryce Drew said. “He was the heartbeat of our team with his vibrant, energetic personality. I cannot put into words the hurt and sadness we all feel, but we know he is in heaven and that gives us great joy to know we will be together again.”
Frayer averaged 6.6 points per game this season and 8 points per game in his collegiate career.
“On the court, Oscar was known as the ‘High Flyer’ and will be remembered for his soaring dunks, tenacious defense and game-changing blocked shots,” the university said in a statement. “Off the court, he will be remembered for his infectious smile, energetic spirit and caring soul that made him one of the most well-liked students on campus.”
