Todd Rose | Daily Press Escanaba’s Brandon Frazer poses after signing his letter-of-intent to play basketball at Ave Maria University. Joining him are back row, from left; Jim Frazer and Nancy Frazer. Front: basketball coach Tracy Hudson, Brandon Frazer and athletic director Tony Perino.

ESCANABA — Escanaba’s Brandon Frazer will be trading in his winter jackets and boots for shorts and sandals next year after he officially signed to play basketball with the Florida-based Ava Maria University Thursday afternoon in Escanaba.

While Frazer, a multi-sport athlete, has shown prowess on the football field and in other sports, basketball is something he has always been around.

“I grew up playing basketball,” said Frazer. “So, basketball has always been my go-to thing.”

Though there was interest from Finlandia University’s football program, Frazer decided life on the court would be the best route for him.

With the move, Frazer is expecting his workload — both on the court and in the classroom — to increase.

“(It’s going to be) a lot harder,” he said. “(There will be) a lot more work that I have to put in.”

As a gifted athlete on his way to the Sunshine State, it should come as no surprise what two things Frazer is the most excited about.

“(I’m most excited about) playing basketball,” he said. “And getting out of here for the warm weather.”

Frazer will take the first two years of his time at Ava Maria to finish up his general studies before deciding his major.

As excited as he is to move on to the next chapter of his life, Frazer is grateful for those who have helped him get to where he is.

“I’d like to thank coach Hudson, coach Hanson, coach Berlinski, Mr. Perino, too,” he said. ” (Also) my parents and God.”

Frazer’s basketball coach Tracy Hudson shared Frazer’s excitement concerning the signing.

“I’m excited for him,” Hudson said. “I think he really loves basketball, and I think he’s fulfilling a dream to be able to play at that next level. It’ll give him confidence in all the other aspects of his life. It’s something he’s always going to be able to draw strength from.”

For the Eskymos, Frazer stepped up as a leader in his time on the court according to Hudson.

“I just think he’s given us leadership on the basketball court,” he said. “He’s learned to expand his game to be productive as a player but make other people around him better. We are just excited for him and his future.”

Escanaba Athletic Director Tony Perino echoed Hudson’s stance.

“He’s a natural athlete,” said Perino. “Whatever he touches he does well at … He’s just a great athlete, he loves basketball and is a great down-to-Earth kid.”

Despite his success in several sports thus far, Perino believes Frazer still has room to expand his capabilities in basketball at the next level.

“They’re (Ava Maria) getting somebody who I don’t think has tapped into his full potential as a basketball player yet, so that’s pretty exciting,” he said. “It’s pretty exciting overall and we’re pretty happy for him as well.”