Will Wade and the VCU coaching staff got great news this weekend as 2016 target Marquell Fraser (The Hill Academy/UPLAY Canada AAU) committed to the Rams during his official visit to campus in Richmond. Fraser hails from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada and his commitment means that Fraser will be the first Canadian player to suit up and play for the Rams since Sherman Hamilton wore the black and gold in the mid-90's.
<a href="https://www.vcuramnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/M9267TU-.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-15000" src="https://www.vcuramnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/M9267TU--300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a>
Fraser is a 6'5", 195 pound, hard-nosed, combo guard who prides himself on tough defense and his play-making ability with great size and ball skills. He played at Mountain Mission School in Grundy, VA and Southwest Christian Academy in Houston, TX before deciding to go back home for his senior season in Canada. He was one of the more under the radar guards on the AAU circuit this summer despite playing at a very high level for UPLAY Canada AAU under Coach Dwayne Washington. He helped lead his team to the 17U Silver Bracket Championship at the 2015 Adidas Championships in Las Vegas, NV this past July. Fraser is also heavily involved in Canada's Junior National Men's Basketball program under Coach Roy Rana.
Over the course of the recruiting process Fraser had major interest from Georgia Tech, Memphis, Iowa, DePaul, Bradley, Minnesota, James Madison, UNLV, Xavier, Utah, Toledo Middle Tennesee, Northern Arizona, Oregon State, Indiana State, Charlotte, Western Kentucky, USC, California, Miami, and Northwestern among others. Fraser officially visited Bradley and James Madison several weeks ago towards the end of the summer. VCU's staff tendered an offer to Fraser this past week shortly after which an official visit was scheduled. He attended VCU's sold-out exhibition contest against DII California (Pa) on Friday and did not leave campus before popping for the Rams.
Fraser in the Rankings: 
<a href="http://www.scout.com/player/201852-marquell-fraser">Scout:</a> 3-stars, unranked
Rivals: unranked, no profile
ESPN: unranked, no profile
Marquell Fraser is an interesting case of having a wide variety of interest from various levels ranging from high-major to mid-major. His AAU play shows a high level of productivity and the staff's evaluation of his play and intangibles on the circuit made them feel confident enough that Fraser will fit in Coach Wade's scheme going forward. Given the quick turnaround between the offer from VCU's staff and Fraser's commitment, the feeling is clearly mutual. The scouts who actually have seen Marquell Fraser play all seem to agree that he's a good play-maker with very good upside and considerable defensive ability. Fraser will look to follow in the large footsteps of some of the great defensive players that have played at the guard position in Will Wade's future attack.
Marquell Fraser joins ESPN100 wing De'Riante Jenkins in VCU's 2016 recruiting class. Size and versatility are certainly not an issue with these first 2 commitments in the class. With the early signing period quickly approaching there may still be some dominoes that are yet to fall as it pertains to VCU's class. Recent official visitors Charlie Moore and Alpha Diallo have yet to make any decisions on their college choices and have VCU on their lists among other suitors.
The clock is ticking to signing day... and the coaching staff knows today that they'll have at least one more National Letter of Intent to look forward to when it comes.
<a href="https://www.vcuramnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/M9267TU-.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-15000" src="https://www.vcuramnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/M9267TU--300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a>
Fraser is a 6'5", 195 pound, hard-nosed, combo guard who prides himself on tough defense and his play-making ability with great size and ball skills. He played at Mountain Mission School in Grundy, VA and Southwest Christian Academy in Houston, TX before deciding to go back home for his senior season in Canada. He was one of the more under the radar guards on the AAU circuit this summer despite playing at a very high level for UPLAY Canada AAU under Coach Dwayne Washington. He helped lead his team to the 17U Silver Bracket Championship at the 2015 Adidas Championships in Las Vegas, NV this past July. Fraser is also heavily involved in Canada's Junior National Men's Basketball program under Coach Roy Rana.
Over the course of the recruiting process Fraser had major interest from Georgia Tech, Memphis, Iowa, DePaul, Bradley, Minnesota, James Madison, UNLV, Xavier, Utah, Toledo Middle Tennesee, Northern Arizona, Oregon State, Indiana State, Charlotte, Western Kentucky, USC, California, Miami, and Northwestern among others. Fraser officially visited Bradley and James Madison several weeks ago towards the end of the summer. VCU's staff tendered an offer to Fraser this past week shortly after which an official visit was scheduled. He attended VCU's sold-out exhibition contest against DII California (Pa) on Friday and did not leave campus before popping for the Rams.
Fraser in the Rankings: 
<a href="http://www.scout.com/player/201852-marquell-fraser">Scout:</a> 3-stars, unranked
Rivals: unranked, no profile
ESPN: unranked, no profile
Marquell Fraser is an interesting case of having a wide variety of interest from various levels ranging from high-major to mid-major. His AAU play shows a high level of productivity and the staff's evaluation of his play and intangibles on the circuit made them feel confident enough that Fraser will fit in Coach Wade's scheme going forward. Given the quick turnaround between the offer from VCU's staff and Fraser's commitment, the feeling is clearly mutual. The scouts who actually have seen Marquell Fraser play all seem to agree that he's a good play-maker with very good upside and considerable defensive ability. Fraser will look to follow in the large footsteps of some of the great defensive players that have played at the guard position in Will Wade's future attack.
Marquell Fraser joins ESPN100 wing De'Riante Jenkins in VCU's 2016 recruiting class. Size and versatility are certainly not an issue with these first 2 commitments in the class. With the early signing period quickly approaching there may still be some dominoes that are yet to fall as it pertains to VCU's class. Recent official visitors Charlie Moore and Alpha Diallo have yet to make any decisions on their college choices and have VCU on their lists among other suitors.
The clock is ticking to signing day... and the coaching staff knows today that they'll have at least one more National Letter of Intent to look forward to when it comes.
