Striking Grand Canyon Oscar Frayer died in a car accident in northern California early Tuesday morning, according to a school release. He was 23 years old.
Frayer’s older sister, Andrea Moore, and a third person in their vehicle were also killed in the crash, the school confirmed.
Frayer, a 6-foot-6 senior guard / forward, started last week in Grand Canyon’s 86-74 loss to Iowa in the first round of the NCAA tournament. He finished the game with eight points, five assists, three blocks and a bargain.
It was his 107th start for the antelope.
“On the field, Oscar was known as the ‘High Flyer’ and will be remembered for his soaring dunks, tenacious defense and groundbreaking blocked shots,” the school said in a statement Thursday. “Off the field, he will be remembered for his infectious smile, energetic mind and caring soul that made him one of the most loved students on campus.”
Grand Canyon head coach Bryce Drew added in the team’s statement, “We love ‘O.’ He was the heartbeat of our team with his vibrant, energetic personality. I can’t put into words the pain and sorrow we all feel, but we know he is in heaven and that gives us great joy to know that we are will be together. “
According to local authorities, a California Highway Patrol vehicle was hit from behind by the car Frayer was in when two officers helped a stranded vehicle on a highway near Lodi, California at around 2:30 AM on Tuesday. Frayer’s vehicle hit a tree and was enveloped in flames. The officers were transported to a local hospital with “serious injuries,” according to the California Highway Patrol, but both are expected to survive.
Frayer had already graduated and received his degree in communications. He was due to participate in the school’s inception ceremony next month.
To be last message said to his team on Twitter, “It’s love forever.”
People in the basketball community in Oakland, California, where Frayer was a high school star, have expressed their condolences.
Former Cal star Ivan Rabb, who fought Frayer at the prep level, a broken heart tweeted
Liam Lloyd, one of Frayer’s teammates at GCU, the senior said was his “big brother.”
Frayer was raised by his mother after his father died in a car accident when he was 7 years old. His Twitter bio says, “Rest in peace Dad.”
The school will hold a “Celebration of Life” at GCU Arena on Tuesday to honor Frayer and those in the GCU community who died during the academic year.