Trent Frazier Dominates The Basketball Court At Wellington High School

Story by Y.A. Teitelbaum • Photos by Gene Nardi

Trent Frazier is easily recognizable on and off the basketball court. On the court, the Wellington High School guard is generally acknowledged as the most talented player in school history. The slender 6-foot-2, 170-pound varsity star is equally adept showing off his signature left-handed jumper from the corner or a dribble-drive through three defenders to get to the rim.

On Nov. 9, the lightning-fast Frazier signed his national letter of intent to play for the University of Illinois in the physical Big Ten Conference.

Frazier has been working hard to improve his game, especially his scoring. Heading into his final year, he had scored 887 points, and at his current pace will likely finish among the school’s all-time leading scorers.

As a sophomore, Wellington won the Class 8A state title 57-56 over Oviedo’s Hagerty High School in 2015 when Frazier sank the winning free throw with one second remaining. As a junior, Wellington lost in the regional final to eventual state champion Coral Springs High School in double overtime.

Frazier started his senior season in style, scoring 43 points, including the game-winner on a tip-in of a teammate’s missed free throw. His quickness with the ball and burst on his first step allows him to easily defeat defenses. How far the Wolverines advance in the playoffs in February remains to be seen. But his legacy is secure.

“Trent is a joy to be around,” said Wellington head coach Matt Colin, whose team amassed a 54-8 record over the last two seasons heading into Frazier’s senior year. “He’s a great kid; he works hard. He’s the first one in and last one out. I have to kick him out of the gym.”

Off the court, Frazier approached his senior season sporting an Odell Beckham Jr. hairstyle — the so-called burst-and-fade with the longer top dyed blonde.

“I like to dance, and because he likes to dance [after a touchdown], and I saw the hair, and I thought, ‘Wow, that’s cool and interesting.’ So, I decided to do it,” Frazier explained of his summer decision. “If he changes [his hairstyle], I don’t know about that. I like this style.”

Frazier, who is the second oldest of four children, moved to Wellington from Boynton Beach about three years ago with his parents. His mother is a medical assistant at MD Now and his father is a chef at Salt7 in Delray Beach.

“The biggest thing I learned from my parents is hard work,” Frazier said. “They work really hard for us. They’ve been together a long time. It has been a blessing… Coming up, we really didn’t have a lot of money. They would work two jobs.”

Frazier smiles when talking about his slight frame and wonders why he doesn’t weigh more because of his father’s skills in the kitchen.

“Nah, I can’t cook; I’ll burn up some macaroni,” laughed Frazier, whose nickname is “TF.” “I don’t eat a lot. I need to get more food in my body. Actually I eat a lot, it’s just my body. I think I play too much basketball. It’s just weird.”

He is close to his family.

“My little brother, he loves to cook, he bakes cakes all the time, the kid’s good,” Frazier said. “He’s got my dad’s abilities. I’m really a mama’s boy. I love my mom. I go to my mom for anything.”

Frazier’s father, Rondell, played basketball at Santaluces High School and started his son at age five. By 13, he was playing against much older competition and receiving tough love from his dad.

“I was a little harder on him, so he would go to his mom,” Rondell Frazier admitted.

But the two have a very good relationship and usually share a post-game hug on the court.

Like many athletes, Frazier enjoys following a routine, whether it’s during practice or a game. His pregame routine includes dancing with his teammates to loud music in the locker room.

“That’s fun; it gets our blood rushing,” said Frazier, who said his favorite artists are Britney Spears and Lady Gaga.

He also takes time for a prayer before going onto the court.

“Having God by my side is an extra hand. He helps me a lot. The skills and talents he gave me. I just pray before the game. It gives me a lot of strength,” Frazier said.

Once on the court, with his good luck long-sleeved white T-shirt under his jersey, Frazier shoots until he hits a three-pointer to get his “rhythm and flow going” before heading to the huddle.

“The long-sleeved T-shirt, that’s my tradition. I have to wear that,” Frazier said. “The first game when I tried it on, I had an amazing game. I’ve worn it ever since, the same one every game.”

Another routine is his pre-game meal — three double cheeseburgers and sweet tea that his father prepares for him.

“He was a very picky eater,” Rondell Frazier said.

Frazier is looking forward to going to college, although he has some trepidation because of the cold-weather climate up north. In high school, Frazier enjoys his economics class but said history is his favorite.

“I’ve got nothing warm to wear, not right now,” Frazier said. “I’ve never seen snow before. I’ll get used to it. I can’t wait to get up there.”

Frazier turned 18 on Sept. 8 and his friends took him out to dinner, where he enjoyed one of his favorite meals, a cheeseburger.

“It’s just a blessing to make it another year,” Frazier said. “Moving to Wellington was the biggest move of my life. It was pretty rough down there [in Boynton Beach], growing up and living in the projects. I didn’t go outside; I stayed inside with my family. I don’t like the violent stuff, so I stayed to myself and focused on basketball. It was a great change for me and my parents.”