Sponsored by Card & Associates and the Pacers Athletic Center
Sometimes an athlete’s love of the game is undeniable, like Westfield Intermediate School’s Sam Frey’s passion for basketball.
“My first word was ‘ball,’ and I have loved shooting hoops for as long as I can remember,” he says.
Over the past four years Frey has developed his game at Pacers Athletic Center (PAC), where he now currently plays on the Primetime 2032 Black team. In his time at the Grand Park facility, he has not only developed a better game by understanding and knowing how to grow his skills, but also by knowing what it means to have strong attributes off the court.
Frey is always striving to grow his game by participating in camps and three-on-three clinics at PAC.
“This past summer I participated in the PAC Elite Camp and it really helped improve my confidence,” he says. “Coach Braden [Heil] said he noticed an improvement in my game at practice that week.”
The young athlete’s tenacity is unwavering as he always takes the opportunity to work with his coaches, and Frey would do anything to help refine his innate skills.
“Working with Coach Brandon Lafferman and Coach Braden Heil have really helped me improve my skills,” he says. “I like how they challenge me and are encouraging.”
Frey has started to see some of that dedication to his skill development pay off, particularly when it came down to the final moments before the buzzer at a recent game.
“I am proud of myself for improving my skills over the years,” he says. “I recently hit two threes in the last two minutes to help win the game.”
All those extra practices and time on the court lead to wins, and wins lead to tradition.
“After winning a game I like to get a package of Wild Berry Skittles from the concessions stand,” Frey says.
His hard work on the court also brings him back to the awe of just being a fan of the game and all-time great players.
“I really like going to Pacers games and wearing basketball apparel,” he says. “I have a collection of NBA jerseys. I like playing NBA 2K and learning about the retired NBA greats like Oscar Robertson. This summer while in NYC, I got to meet the NBA Players Association President Andre Iguodala.” [Text Wrapping Break]
Frey’s favorite NBA player is Tyrese Haliburton. “He is a good teammate and a good community leader,” Frey says. “I also love when he is on fire from hitting threes.”
