Grand Canyon’s Oscar Frayer died in a car accident in northern California early Tuesday morning, according to a school statement. He was 23 years old.
Frayer’s older sister, Andrea Moore, and a third person in their vehicle were also killed in the crash, the school confirmed.
Frayer, a 6-meter, 6-yard goalie / striker, started the Grand Canyon loss 86-74 to Iowa in the first round of the NCAA tournament last week. He finished the game with eight points, five assists, three blocks and one steal.
It was the 107th start for the Antelopes.
“On the field, Oscar was known as the ‘High Flyer’ and will be remembered for his rising heights, tenacious defense and blocked shots that change the game,” the school said in a statement on Thursday. “Off the field, he will be remembered for his infectious smile, energetic spirit and caring soul that made him one of the most valued students on campus.”
Grand Canyon head coach Bryce Drew added in the team statement: “We like ‘O.’ He was the heartbeat of our team with his vibrant and energetic personality. I cannot put into words the wounds and sadness we all feel, but we know that it is in heaven and that gives us great joy to know that we will be together again. “
According to local authorities, a California highway patrol vehicle was hit from behind by Frayer’s car while two officers were assisting a vehicle stuck on a highway near Lodi, California, around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday. Frayer’s vehicle hit a tree and became engulfed in flames. The officers were taken to a local hospital with “major injuries,” according to the California Highway Patrol, but both are expected to survive.
Frayer had already graduated with a degree in communications. He was to attend the school’s opening ceremony next month.
His final message to his Twitter team he said, “It’s love forever.”
People from the entire basketball community in Oakland, California, where Frayer was a high school star, expressed their condolences.
Former Cal Cal star Ivan Rabb, who fought Frayer in training, wrote on Twitter a broken heart.
Liam Lloyd, one of Frayer’s teammates at GCU, said the senior he was “his older brother.”
Frayer was raised by his mother after his father died in a car accident at the age of seven. His Twitter biography says, “Rest in peace, Dad.”
The school will hold a “celebration of life” service at the GCU Arena on Tuesday to honor Frayer and those in the GCU community who lost their lives during the academic year.