/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45632676/usa-today-7778949.0.jpg)
Well, it looks like the NBA D-League All-Star Game is going to need to find a new player for the Eastern Conference squad.
Former Penn State point guard Tim Frazier has signed a 10-day contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, according to a press release by the club. Frazier will be the first Nittany Lion alumnus to play in the NBA since Calvin Booth with the Sacramento Kings in 2009.
As we have reported before, the Sixers really liked Frazier, and had some experience with him on their roster back when he was on their Summer League squad. According to Sixers insider Jake Fischer of Liberty Ballers, Frazier left a positive impact on the team, and the club was "very impressed with his poise and control of the point guard position."
Of course, you probably are wondering how much Frazier will play when he gets to the Association. While some D-League players barely get any run in the NBA, Frazier has the potential to make an impact in Philly. The Sixers' starting point guard is Michael Carter-Williams, but after him, there is a huge hole. The team moved on from backup point guard Larry Drew II to make room for Frazier, while Tony Wroten has a knee injury. Basically, Frazier is not only going to get the chance to play in Philly, but he's going to get a lot of time -- Drew averaged 18.2 minutes per game.
Since he's being signed on a 10-day contract, Frazier will suit up for three games. He'll face the Boston Celtics in Boston on Friday, the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday and the Golden State Warriors on Monday. The latter two games are in Philadelphia. He's going to have some excellent competition in that group, especially when Philly hosts Golden State, as the Warriors are quite possibly the best team in the NBA, and their starting point guard -- Steph Curry -- may be the League's MVP halfway through the season.
Should Frazier leave a positive enough impression, the Sixers can then sign him to another 10-day contract or bring him on for the rest of the year. If they choose to sign him to a second 10-day deal, and he does well enough that they would want to sign him to another contract, it would need to be for the remainder of the season.
Seriously, Frazier could not have fallen into a better situation. Not only is he going to a place where he will get playing time and earn the chance to make an impression, but he's in a city that is filled with Penn State alums, so he's going to get a ton of support from the community (side note: if you're a Philadelphia, go to Sixers games, tickets are less than $20). He has torn it up in the D-League to the tune of 15.9 points, 8.9 assists, 6.8 rebounds and 2.0 steals a night, and if he can play half as well in the NBA, he's going to stick around.
Congratulations, Tim!