Michael Frazier II
Michael Frazier II (born March 8, 1994) is an American professional basketball player who serves as a shooting guard, renowned for his sharpshooting ability from beyond the arc. Currently playing for Palayesh Naft Abadan in the Iranian Superleague, he has built a diverse career spanning the NBA, NBA G League, and multiple international leagues across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.[1][2] Frazier II honed his skills at the University of Florida, where he played from 2012 to 2015 and established himself as one of the program's premier three-point specialists. During his junior year in 2014–15, he led the Gators with 57 made three-pointers, ranked second on the team in scoring at 12.1 points per game, and finished third in rebounding with 4.1 per game, earning spots on the All-SEC Tournament and NCAA South Regional teams. Over his collegiate tenure, he appeared in 101 games, starting 54, while amassing 998 points, 357 rebounds, and 113 assists, shooting 41.1% from three-point range overall. His accuracy from distance—highlighted by a 46.8% mark as a freshman—earned him SEC All-Freshman Team honors in 2013 and cemented his reputation as a prolific shooter.[3][4] After going undrafted in the 2015 NBA Draft, Frazier II signed a multi-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers but was waived shortly thereafter, leading him to the NBA G League. He spent significant time with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers from 2018 to 2019, where he averaged 16.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.5 steals per game in the 2018–19 season, earning NBA G League Most Improved Player honors and contributing to the team's championship victory that year. Later, he secured a two-way contract with the Houston Rockets in 2019, appearing in 13 regular-season games (averaging 2.1 points) and four playoff contests during the 2019–20 season. Beyond North America, Frazier II has competed internationally for teams including Scaligera Basket Verona (Italy, 2016–17), MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg (Germany, 2017), Perth Wildcats (Australia, 2023), Beirut Club (Lebanon, 2025), Palayesh Naft Abadan (Iran, 2023–24, 2025–present), and Amman United (Jordan, 2024–25), showcasing his scoring prowess with averages exceeding 19 points per game in recent stints. Additionally, he represented the USA Basketball Men's World Cup Qualifying Team in 2022, helping secure wins against Brazil and Colombia.[4][5][6]Early years
High school career
Michael Frazier II was born on March 8, 1994, in Tampa, Florida.[7] His family relocated from Tampa to St. Petersburg when his father, a pastor, accepted a new church position there, prompting Frazier to transfer high schools for greater competitive exposure.[8] Frazier began his high school basketball career at Plant High School in Tampa, where as a junior in the 2010–11 season, he averaged 29.7 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, contributing to a 20–8 team record.[3] Seeking stronger competition to prepare for college, he transferred to Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida, ahead of his senior year.[8] There, under head coach Kevin Boyle, Frazier developed into a premier sharpshooter, earning recognition as a top national recruit ranked No. 86 in the class of 2012 by the Recruiting Services Consensus Index.[9][10] As Montverde Academy's leading scorer and rebounder during his senior season, Frazier averaged 17 points and eight rebounds per game, helping the team achieve a 23–4 record and advance to the championship game of the National High School Invitational.[3] His time at Montverde honed his perimeter shooting and overall game, setting the stage for his commitment to play college basketball at the University of Florida.[8]College career
Michael Frazier II committed to the University of Florida in August 2010 as a highly regarded high school shooting guard from Tampa, Florida, joining the Gators' 2012 recruiting class.[11] As a freshman during the 2012–13 season, Frazier appeared in all 36 games for the Florida Gators, primarily coming off the bench as a perimeter shooter. He averaged 5.6 points and 3.1 rebounds per game while shooting 46.8% from three-point range, earning recognition on the SEC All-Freshman Team and twice being named SEC Freshman of the Week.[9][3] In his sophomore year of 2013–14, Frazier emerged as a starter, appearing in all 39 games and averaging 12.4 points and 3.5 rebounds per game, with a team-leading role in spacing the floor through his shooting. He led the Southeastern Conference in three-point percentage at 44.5%, helping the Gators reach the NCAA Final Four.[9] Frazier's junior season in 2014–15 was limited to 26 games due to a high ankle sprain, but he started all appearances, averaging 12.1 points and 4.1 rebounds per game while shooting 38.0% from beyond the arc. During this year, he became the seventh Gator to reach 200 career three-point field goals made.[9][3][12] Over his three seasons at Florida, Frazier played in 101 games, accumulating career averages of 9.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 41.1% from three-point range, solidifying his reputation as an elite shooter in the SEC.[9]Professional career
NBA G League, NBA, and Summer League (2015–2020)
Following his junior season at the University of Florida, Michael Frazier II declared for the 2015 NBA draft but went undrafted. He participated in the 2015 NBA Summer League with the Golden State Warriors, averaging 4.5 points and 2.8 assists per game across six appearances. Shortly thereafter, on August 25, 2015, he signed a contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, appearing in four preseason games before being waived on October 20. Frazier's college reputation as a prolific three-point shooter contributed to his initial Summer League invitation, highlighting his potential as a sharpshooting guard.[13] Frazier began his professional career in the NBA Development League (later renamed the G League) during the 2015–16 season, splitting time among three teams: the Fort Wayne Mad Ants (10 games, 10.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists per game), Iowa Energy (12 games, 4.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 0.8 assists), and South Bay Lakers (14 games, 5.9 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists). Over 36 total appearances with two starts, he provided perimeter scoring off the bench while adjusting to professional play. After the season, Frazier continued in the G League with stints including the Austin Spurs in 2016–17 and 2017–18, where he appeared in 50 games during the latter year, averaging 5.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 24.2 minutes per game.[14] In the 2018–19 season, Frazier joined the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the Houston Rockets' affiliate, where he emerged as a key contributor, averaging 16.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists over 45 games in 33.3 minutes. His improved efficiency and versatility earned him the NBA G League Most Improved Player award, as well as a role in the Vipers' championship run, where he averaged 16 points per game in the Finals. A standout moment came on January 29, 2019, when he scored a career-high 43 points, including 11 three-pointers, in a win over the Stockton Kings. On April 6, 2019, Frazier signed a rest-of-season contract with the Rockets but did not appear in NBA games that year.[14][15][16] Frazier's breakthrough continued into the 2019–20 season after signing a two-way contract with the Rockets on October 20, 2019, following a brief waiver. He made his NBA debut, appearing in 13 regular-season games off the bench for 2.1 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 0.2 assists in 11.2 minutes per game, while shooting 24.1% from the field and 17.4% from three-point range. The majority of his play occurred with the Vipers, where he averaged 14.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 17 games before the season's suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Frazier also saw limited action in the NBA bubble playoffs, appearing in four games. He was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Rockets in November 2020 amid post-bubble roster adjustments, becoming an unrestricted free agent. He spent the 2020–21 season with the Delaware Blue Coats.[13][17][18][19][20]International leagues (2021–2025)
Following a stint with the Delaware Blue Coats in the NBA G League during the 2020-21 season, Michael Frazier II transitioned to international basketball by signing with the Perth Wildcats of Australia's National Basketball League (NBL) on October 15, 2021. In 19 games during the 2021-22 season, he averaged 7.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game, often serving as a versatile guard off the bench.[21] His contributions helped the Wildcats secure a third-place finish and advance to the NBL semifinals, where they fell to Melbourne United. However, Frazier faced early challenges, including a leg injury that sidelined him for the season opener and hamstring issues that limited his consistency.[22][23] In November 2022, Frazier joined the Illawarra Hawks for the remainder of the 2022-23 NBL season, where he quickly emerged as a key scoring threat. Over eight games, he posted averages of 17.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists, while attempting a league-high 9.1 three-pointers per game, showcasing his sharpshooting prowess.[24] Despite the Hawks' struggles with a 2-17 record during his tenure, Frazier's efficient scoring—shooting 39.0% from beyond the arc—provided offensive spark.[23] His stint was cut short on January 6, 2023, when he suffered a severe left forearm fracture in a collision during a game against the Adelaide 36ers, ending his season after just one month.[25][26] Frazier's next move came on November 3, 2023, when he signed with the Sichuan Blue Whales of China's Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). Limited to three regular-season games due to unspecified logistical hurdles, he averaged 5.3 points in 10.7 minutes per game, with per-36-minute projections of approximately 17.8 points.[27][28] The brief appearance underscored adaptation challenges in a new league environment. In December 2024, he signed with Amman United of the Jordanian Premier Basketball League and competed in the FIBA West Asia Super League.[29] In three WASL games, Frazier averaged 22.3 points, contributing significantly to the team's efforts with his perimeter shooting.[30] In April 2025, he briefly joined Ahly Benghazi in Libya before signing with Beirut Club of Lebanon's Division A League ahead of the playoffs on April 25.[31][32] Over five postseason games with Beirut, he delivered 19.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, aiding a competitive playoff run despite the team's elimination.[33] This period marked a resurgence, as Frazier adapted to high-stakes international play, drawing on his shooting fundamentals honed in earlier overseas stints.[34]Palayesh Naft Abadan (2025–present)
On September 20, 2025, Palayesh Naft Abadan of the Iranian Basketball Superleague signed Michael Frazier II to a contract for the 2025–26 season, shortly after his release from Beirut Club in the Lebanese LBL.[33] Frazier was brought in as a starting guard to bolster the team's backcourt, with an emphasis on his scoring ability and perimeter defense, drawing from his recent 19.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.6 steals per game during five appearances with Beirut Club. His addition marked the first import signing for Naft Abadan ahead of the campaign, complementing local talents like Rasoul Mozafari and Sajjad Pazrofteh under head coach Mehdi Rajaei. Through the early portion of the 2025–26 Superleague season, as of November 2025, Frazier has been a key offensive contributor for the team. Palayesh Naft Abadan, a perennial contender in the Superleague, is leveraging Frazier's scoring to fuel a playoff push, having secured key wins like a 103–82 victory over Raad Padafan Isfahan on November 6 amid a tightly contested league where the top eight teams advance to the postseason.[35] The club sits mid-table after nine games with a balanced record, focusing on defensive improvements to climb the standings in the league's 14-team format.[36]National team career
USA Basketball selections
Frazier's early exposure to USA Basketball came during his sophomore year at the University of Florida, where he participated in the 2013 USA U19 World Championship trials and was ultimately selected to the roster for the tournament in Prague, Czech Republic.[4][37] As a reserve guard, he contributed off the bench, leveraging his perimeter shooting skills developed in college, where he ranked among the nation's top 3-point shooters.[3] In February 2019, Frazier earned a spot in the USA Men's World Cup Qualifying Team training camp and was named to the final 12-man roster for the window's games.[38][39] The team achieved a 2-0 record with victories over Argentina and Panama, and Frazier started both contests, serving as a key reserve guard who added perimeter shooting depth to the backcourt.[4] Frazier continued his involvement in 2022, first joining the July USA Men's World Cup Qualifying Team for away games against Puerto Rico and Cuba, where the squad went 2-0.[40][41] He returned as a starter for the August team, helping secure another 2-0 mark with wins over Uruguay and Colombia.[42][43] Later that year, he was selected for the November roster for games against Brazil and Colombia, where the team went 1-1.[44][4]World Cup Qualifying
Michael Frazier II has represented the United States in FIBA World Cup Qualifying, earning 6 caps across multiple windows with a focus on his perimeter shooting.[45] His role emphasized providing bench scoring and defensive energy, contributing to the USA's successful qualification efforts.[4]Career statistics
NBA and G League regular season
Frazier signed a two-way contract with the Houston Rockets on October 20, 2019, allowing him to split time between the NBA team and their G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. In the 2019–20 NBA regular season, he appeared in 13 games for Houston, primarily coming off the bench in limited minutes.[13]NBA Regular Season Statistics
| Season | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019–20 | HOU | 13 | 0 | 11.2 | .241 | .174 | .643 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 2.1 |
G League Regular Season Statistics (Per Game)
| Season | Team | GP | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015–16 | Multiple* | 36 | 16.8 | 43.2% | 35.6% | 71.2% | 2.3 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 6.7 |
| 2018–19 | RGV | 45 | 33.3 | 44.6% | 38.1% | 78.1% | 5.5 | 3.4 | 1.3 | 16.9 |
| 2019–20 | RGV | 17 | 28.1 | 40.9% | 33.3% | 60.0% | 3.3 | 2.4 | 1.2 | 14.9 |
| 2020–21 | DEL | 12 | 24.5 | 41.5% | 28.3% | 82.4% | 3.3 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 12.8 |
| 2023–24 | GRG | 18 | 23.9 | 49.1% | 35.5% | 78.6% | 3.2 | 1.2 | 0.7 | 11.5 |
Career averages: 128 GP, 12.6 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.1 APG, 0.9 SPG, 43.9% FG, 34.2% 3P.[47][14]
International regular season
Frazier's international regular season experience spans multiple leagues outside North America, beginning with Italian Serie A2 in 2016–17. During 2016–17 with Tezenis Scaligera Verona, he played 38 games, averaging 17.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and shooting 35.6% from three-point range.[20] In the National Basketball League (NBL) in Australia from 2021 to 2023, he appeared in 27 games across stints with the Perth Wildcats (19 games, 2021–22) and Illawarra Hawks (8 games, 2022–23), averaging 10.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game while shooting 33.5% from three-point range.[21][24] In 2023, Frazier played 3 games for the Sichuan Blue Whales in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), averaging 16.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game.[27] In 2023–24, he played for Palayesh Naft Abadan in the Iranian Super League. In 2024–25, he had brief stints with Amman United in Jordan (3 games, 22.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists) before joining Beirut Club in Lebanon, where as of November 2025, he has played 5 games averaging 19.2 points per game.[48][30] Across his international regular season tenure (known games: ~71 as of November 2025), Frazier has averaged approximately 15.5 points while maintaining around 36% three-point accuracy.[20][45][30]| League/Period | Team(s) | GP | PPG | RPG | APG | 3PT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serie A2 Italy (2016–17) | Tezenis Scaligera Verona | 38 | 17.2 | 4.7 | 2.6 | 35.6 |
| NBL Australia (2021–23) | Perth Wildcats, Illawarra Hawks | 27 | 10.6 | 4.4 | 1.9 | 33.5 |
| CBA China (2023) | Sichuan Blue Whales | 3 | 16.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 30.0 |
| Iran Super League (2023–24) | Palayesh Naft Abadan | Unknown | - | - | - | - |
| Middle East (2024–25) | Amman United, Beirut Club | 8 | 20.0 | 4.5 | 2.4 | - |
| Known Aggregated International (as of Nov 2025) | - | 76 | 15.5 | 4.6 | 2.5 | 36.0 |
Playoffs
NBA Playoffs
In the 2019–20 NBA playoffs, Frazier appeared in 4 games for the Houston Rockets, averaging 0.8 points and 1.0 rebound per game.[13]| Season | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019–20 | HOU | 4 | 0 | 3.0 | .250 | .500 | .000 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.8 |
G League Playoffs
Frazier made playoff appearances in the G League during the 2018–19 and 2020–21 seasons. In 2018–19 with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, he averaged 21.0 points per game across 5 contests, shooting 49% from three-point range, helping the team win the championship. In the finals series against the Long Island Nets, the Vipers won 2–1, with Frazier delivering 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists in the decisive Game 3 victory.[49] In 2020–21 with the Delaware Blue Coats, he played 3 games, averaging 9.7 points.[47]| Season | League | Team | GP | PPG | APG | RPG | Key Series Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018–19 | NBA G League | Rio Grande Valley Vipers | 5 | 21.0 | 3.0 | 5.8 | Won championship (def. Long Island Nets 2–1 in finals) |
| 2020–21 | NBA G League | Delaware Blue Coats | 3 | 9.7 | 1.3 | 2.7 | Conference semifinals |