​The D Zone Player Profile: JJ Frakes talks commitment to Oregon, other colleges who showed interest and the state of his current Shamrocks team

Berrien Springs senior JJ Frakes created an avalanche of discussion in December when he announced his commitment to the University.

Frakes - a 6-5 shooting guard who plays for a relatively unknown southwest Michigan school - pulled off the ultimate high school basketball dream of signing with a Power-4, D1 college.

How you may ask, did a player of this magnitude slip through the cracks on the national level? Injuries and lack of exposure played a role.

“(Oregon) and many others have followed me since (my) freshman year,” Frakes said. “My recruitment slowed when I was unable to play AAU, but ramped up quickly just before the start of the season.

“I was putting in the work and ready to start the season when Arman from PDT Scouting shared some highlights that put me back in the forefront of recruiting. Oregon did a good job building a relationship with me and sharing their winning philosophy. They believe I can be an elite player.

An incredibly hard worker on top of a great player, Frakes went from an intriguing prospect to a must-have recruit for one of the best coaches in Dane Altman and overall programs in the nation.

“(Oregon) did not hesitate making it to a game all the way from Eugene and followed it with an offer,” Frakes said. “UO is special, they have a great coaching staff that my family and I trust.

“Coach Altman’s record speaks for itself. He has had a winning record everywhere he’s coached. He and his staff have been together for a long time and I am blessed to have the opportunity to be coached by such high-level coaches. I look forward to being a Duck.

Something many people have asked is how many other schools were interested, and which ones had reached out?

“There were a lot of impressive schools and coaches recruiting me,” Frakes said. “I was lucky to have interest from St. Bonaventure, Iowa, Oregon State, Washington, Illinois, and Cincinnati to name a few. I have always followed the Ducks and know their style of play is where I will fit in best.”

Those who are familiar with Frakes’ game know he’s an avid dunker who will often finish with authority even through traffic. He’s a never-ending highlight reel and always worth the price of admission.

“I dunked in middle school gym class and shattered the backboard. That’s when I knew (I was an elite dunker),” Frakes said. “My dad got me started as a really young kid. I dunked on the mini rim in the house and as I got older I used the adjustable rim in the driveway. My dad would lower it and we played every day."

“I was always in the driveway playing and dunking. My parents got a light for my rim because I would play and practice dunks in the driveway after dark. All that probably helped me and got me where I am today.”

After a tough loss against Edwardsburg to start the season, Berrien Springs has started to click, winning seven of their last eight games, including six straight victories. Frakes and fellow star guard Brady Blasko (6-3) have helped the Shamrocks jump out to a solid 8-2 record midway through the season.

“We started off slow, but I knew it would come together,” Frakes said. “A lot of my teammates are football players, so it just took time to gel as a basketball team. We have a strong district with Benton Harbor, Niles, and Edwardsburg, but I’m optimistic."

“I have great teammates that are tough and play selflessly. We have solid chemistry and are well-coached. Being a senior-led team with the bond we have puts us in a good spot to make a run to the Breslin.”

Committing to Oregon would have already made this a great senior year for Frakes, but recently he scored his 1,000th point, a major milestone at any level. He accomplished the feat despite injuries and a transfer.

“Making the 1,000-point mark was great, especially doing it in only two-and-a-half years of varsity basketball,” Frakes said. “I have to credit my teammates for getting me the ball. My teammates and coaches are a huge part of my success.”

Up next for Frakes and the Shamrocks is a road test at a resurgent and defending D3 state champion Niles-Brandywine squad. Berrien Springs will look to continue their impressive winning streak and continue gaining confidence for the postseason come March.