Posts
We all saw the report over at the CollegeBall Blog about Zam "Buck" Fredrick not being happy with playing time. We heard rumors that he was considering a transfer. We heard that his dad (also Buck's high school coach) met with a prominant head coach of another big conference school and was ultimately persuaded to stick out the situation at GT for awhile.
While we didn't see any official media reports on Buck's unhappiness, there was some truth to the situation, based on comments from Coach Hewitt after the UGAg game. Of course this was a game where Buck finally was given a chance to shine and he took advantage of the opportunity.
This story is a prime example of why we are so blessed to have a talented coach like Paul Hewitt. In the games following the reports of Buck's unhappiness, Fredrick still did not see significant action. But in the UGAg game, he did. Was it the pressure of a possible transfer? The answer is NO. Buck Fredrick got his minutes because he decided to elevate his level of effort and participation in practice, as evidenced by this first "official" media story on the situation
Freshman guard Zam Fredrick wasn't happy about his lack of minutes through Georgia Tech's first three games.
So Fredrick did something about it - in practice.
"I like the way he responded," Tech coach Paul Hewitt said. "He's responded by basically buttoning his lip and just going out and playing as hard as he can every day in practice. That's how he earned his minutes."
Fredrick played a season-high 16 minutes in the No. 4 Yellow Jackets' 87-48 victory against Georgia on Sunday. His previous high in minutes was eight against Alabama State and Michigan.
And his minutes were not all garbage-time minutes. Fredrick was the first of the Tech freshmen off the bench in the first half against the Bulldogs, a role Anthony Morrow had been playing.
"Zam has a lot of pride," Hewitt said. "He wants to play."
Fredrick scored six points against the Bulldogs, making 2 of 7 field goal attempts, including 2 of 3 3-point attempts. He had two assists and one turnover. Fredrick had just five points in the first three games.
This is a prime example of teaching young men how to grow and mature. Let's remember this about Zam "Buck" Fredrick. This kid has been "THE MAN" for a long time. He has been the starting varsity guard on his high school team since 8th grade. He has led his team to the state championship game all 5 years. I think they won it 3 of those years. Every year he increased his numbers, and his senior year he had sick numbers, averaging over 30 points a game, to go along with assists, boards, etc, etc. Throw on top of that he was academically the man. I THINK I remember a story about how he was the valedictorian of his high school (although I cannot find that story now). He was the BMOC - Big Man on Campus. So now he comes to GT, and not only does he have trouble cracking the starting line-up, he has trouble earning minutes. So he's frustrated. He's full-of-pride. He's trying to "represent" to his boys in SC. And for those of you who went to GT (or any college) you know how humbling being a freshman in a new place can be for just a regular student.
Well, with Coach Hewitt, you earn your minutes OUTSIDE the game. You earn them when nobody else is looking, when fans aren't around, when it's all about self-disciple and drive.
I could not be happier to see Buck get his chance to get in the rotation. Honestly, I was a little frustrated that early on, none of the freshman were seeing significant time. It's hard to believe they will be contributors in February if they cannot get on the court in December. But it's happening now, and I think it's great.
But the real test will be when ACC play starts. Because it is inevitable that Coach Hewitt will tighten up the rotation. Who will get those minutes in January and February? Who will get shut out of the rotation? WHO WILL EARN THEIR MINUTES? Time will tell.