College basketball player among three killed in car crash tragedy
The sporting world is reeling following the tragic death of college basketball player Oscar Frayer.
The Grand Canyon forward died in a car accident on Tuesday, just three days after the first and last NCAA tournament game of his five-year college career.
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The 23-year-old was with his sister and girlfriend in an SUV early on Tuesday morning when it veered off the road, hit a California Highway Patrol car, struck a tree and caught fire.
All three occupants of the SUV reportedly died, while two California Highway Patrol personnel sustained serious injuries.
Photos posted by the CHP Stockton Facebook page show the extent of the damage.
College basketball rocked by devastating tragedy
Only 57 hours before the crash, Frayer had been playing No. 2 seed Iowa in the West bracket of March Madness.
Frayer, a redshirt senior, finished with eight points, five assists, three rebounds and three blocks, and delivered one of the game's highlights with a chase-down block of the Hawkeyes' Connor McCaffery.
Connor McCaffery thought he had a fast break bucket.
Oscar Frayer had other ideas. pic.twitter.com/47iOCbnozj— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 20, 2021
Frayer, whose father also reportedly died in a car crash, had been visiting family in California after the loss to Iowa.
A member of the Grand Canyon men's basketball team since 2016, Frayer started as a freshman out of Hayward, California, and accrued 970 points and 515 rebounds over the course of five years.
He was forced to sit out what would have been his senior year due to academic ineligibility, but made it back to the court this season and helped lead the Antelopes to the first March Madness berth in school history.
The program won both the WAC regular season and tournament championship - its first titles since making the jump to Division I in 2013.
Following the loss to Iowa, Frayer posted what turned out to be his final tweet, thanking the Grand Canyon fans for following along.
"I bleed purple FOREVER!!!!" he wrote.
"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."
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🤘🏿💜
— Oscar Proud #⃣4⃣ (@Oscar_Frayer) March 21, 2021
News of Frayer's death has sparked an outpouring of emotion on social media.
Tragic, tragic news, as Oscar Frayer - who literally just played in the NCAA Tournament this weekend for Grand Canyon - appears to have passed in a car crash. Awful news. Prayers to him and all his loved ones 🙏🙏🙏 https://t.co/HIar80snWE
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) March 24, 2021
This is heartbreaking news.
Oscar Frayer just played last weekend in the NCAA Tournament against Iowa.
Prayers to his family.
Every day is indeed a gift. https://t.co/AdwESUXOOj— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 26, 2021
Our Lopes family is devastated and heartbroken by the passing of @GCU_MBB student-athlete Oscar Frayer. pic.twitter.com/FEJtNdYrt1
— GCU Lopes (@GCU_Lopes) March 26, 2021
We are saddened and shocked to hear the tragic news about Oscar Frayer. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Oscar’s family, friends and all associated with @GCU_MBB during this time.#AggieUp | #LopesUp https://t.co/22dA1M6r9n
— NM State MBB (@NMStateMBB) March 24, 2021
Prayers up to everyone affected by Oscar Frayer’s death. An outstanding competitor who had his entire life in front of him. Don’t take life for granted. Rest In Peace!
— Brandon Dunson (@BMDunson) March 24, 2021
Took a liking to Oscar Frayer when I met the young man back in 2015. Had an energetic spirit to his character and instantly I became a FAN. 😔😔💔💔 RIP young fella. Praying for his family.
— chuck hayes (@c_hayes44) March 24, 2021
Man, I’m at a loss for words and just in shock. Just watched you play a couple days ago and now you’re gone. You were one-of-a-kind and one of the most upbeat and energetic people I’ve ever been around. Could put a smile on anyone’s face. Love you, O. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/SkghZ0Xyyd
— Casey Benson (@CaseyBenson15) March 24, 2021
4!! Love you brotha. This one killin me. pic.twitter.com/3IfglcuabI
— DeWayne Russell (@weezyRussell00) March 24, 2021
I am still in complete shock and disbelief this morning. This is going to hurt for a while, especially after just speaking with @Oscar_Frayer about graduating, making the @marchmadness his senior year, and his perseverance in this life. Way too soon nephew! 🙏🏽 🏀🎓 #BayAreaBorn pic.twitter.com/DMBIQX29yT
— Jason Linders (@linders_jason) March 24, 2021
With Jack Baer - Yahoo Sports
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