Thornwood grad Frazier dies playing in pickup game
All-area guard was entering senior season for Robert Morris
Chelby Frazier had a smile that could light up a gym and the personality to match.
And when his jump shot was falling during his all-area career at Thornwood, he could light up a scoreboard too.
“He could be unstoppable,” Thornwood coach Paul Slavich said.
Frazier, 21, died Sunday. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
According to Frazier’s childhood friend D’Quan Applewhite, Frazier was playing basketball Sunday with college friends at Thornton and suddenly collapsed. Efforts to resuscitate Frazier proved unsuccessful.
Applewhite wasn’t at the open gym — he was at school preparing for his senior year at Southern Illinois-Edwardsville. He talked with a friend who was in the gym when Frazier collapsed.
“They finished the game and everybody was shaking hands,” Applewhite said. “Everybody started walking off and he collapsed. Everything was fine up until that point.”
Calls to Thornton principal Tony Ratliff and Thornton athletic director Jeffrey Haynes were not returned.
Slavich arrived home Sunday from a family vacation when he received the news from Thornwood athletic director James Dye.
“I was trying to settle down my two young sons and watch the Cubs game when I received a text from Jim,” Slavich said. “He said, ‘Chelby Frazier died.’ I couldn’t believe it.
“It’s like a bad dream. It’s unbelievable. I’m still in shock. He was a great kid.”
Frazier, a 6-foot-1 guard, was about to begin his senior year at Robert Morris, where he averaged 14 points and 1.9 steals last season.
Before playing at Robert Morris, Frazier attended Parkland Community College for two years, averaging 7.2 points and 3.4 rebounds in his final season.
Applewhite said he and Frazier were in contact with each other at least once a week. The last time the two saw each other was in May.
“We were hanging out in his dorm room in the city catching up and watching the NBA playoffs,”
Applewhite said. “We had both just turned 21. We were talking about having to put our foot in the real world soon.”
Applewhite described the bond the two had since age 4.
“We could always count on each other,” Applewhite said. “We were yin and yang. He always wanted to have fun. I was more cautious. I would stay at his house and he would stay at mine. He was so genuine. He was my brother.”
Frazier attended Thornton for two years before transferring to Thornwood. He helped the Thunderbirds to consecutive Class 4A regional championships and two 20-plus win seasons.
Frazier averaged 16.5 points and 3.5 assists as a senior in the 2014-15 season, earning all-area honors. Oftentimes, Frazier would wear bright, multicolored sneakers, which matched his personality.
“At first glance, people would ask, ‘Who is that kid wearing those shoes?’ ” Applewhite said. “At second glance, he would be scoring on them.”
Frazier thrived in big moments. “We were playing T.F. South at the Chicago Heights Classic,” Slavich said. “He had a guy in his face and he still hit a long 3-pointer to win the game for us. He had a refuse-to-lose attitude.
“He was very charismatic. He was a coach’s dream.”