Frazier holds starting role -- for now
Regarded as The Next Deron Williams, Illinois freshman point guard Demetri McCamey must first learn to play a little more like Illini junior Chester Frazier before he will be considered for a starting role.
McCamey arrived as a heralded recruit, the first Illini prospect signed from perennial power Westchester St. Joseph. But before he can become the point guard of the future, he must learn how to play hard like Frazier, a returning starter and still the point guard of the present. Frazier is expected to return to action when Illinois hosts Division II Kentucky Wesleyan tonight in the final exhibition game. The season opener is Sunday against Northeastern.
"The difference between Chester right now and Demetri and (freshman) Jeff Jordan is that Chester understands you've got to go hard every day and every possession,'' Illinois coach Bruce Weber said. "Chester just plays harder than anybody else.
"(McCamey) does have some abilities that Chester doesn't. Until he understands the intensity level, Chester is ahead of him.''
McCamey could learn on the fly quickly, because Illinois plays six games -- including five against big-name competition -- before December.
The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Frazier took over the position last year following the graduation of Illini fan favorite Dee Brown. Frazier averaged 7.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists with 2.5 turnovers per game. He often struggled with his decision-making and shot 35.5 percent from the field.
The 6-3, 205-pound McCamey led St. Joe to a Class AA supersectional berth by averaging 16 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and three steals, but he's still learning the intensity level and what works at the college level.
"With all kids, it's a reality check,'' Weber said. "What are you? What can you do? Chester must stay within his limitations. Chester has a tendency to try to do too much. He tries to create the game. In some cases, he plays so hard and intense. In other cases, he goes too fast, turns it over or gambles.
"Demetri just has got a bigger body, a little more natural athleticism. He has a real good feel for making the special pass. He sees things a little better. We're trying to get Chester to slow down. We're trying to get Demetri to pick up his speed. You have both extremes.''
Frazier missed the first exhibition game while recovering from a dislocated left thumb. Anxious to play, he feels the competition from McCamey.
"I have to come out and play my game, keep continuing to get better,'' Frazier said. "There's a lot more competition with two new (point guards) coming in here. The freshmen want playing time. They've done a good job of making me better.
"I don't have to make a play every time. I don't think it's shooting the ball better but taking better shots that will help my percentages.''
McCamey began telling reporters last summer that he wanted to earn a starting spot as a freshman.
"That hasn't changed,'' he said. "That's still my main goal. Chester and I care about winning. Who starts and who's playing at the end are coach's decision. We like to go out and compete and win.''
McCamey tries not to listen to the comparisons with Williams, although recent text messages and emails from Williams helped McCamey get the message.
"He told me to be my own man, don't worry about the stats,'' McCamey said. "As long we you compete and get Ws, that's all that matters.''
Jordan also competes for playing time. He started the exhibition opener against Division II Quincy last week.
"There have been points where Jeff has been more consistent than Demetri,'' Weber said. "The whole freshman put us in a little bit of a dilemma. Three or four days, one guy steps up ahead of everybody else. Then he hits a little bit of a wall, struggles for two or three days and then someone else picks it up.''
John Supinie can be reached at Johnsupinie@aol.com. For more coverage, read Illini Talk blog at www.sj-r.com and www.pjstar.com.