Auburn, ME – The Central Maine Athletic Department and Head Men's Basketball Coach Dave Gonyea are pleased to announce Brandon Frye, a 5'7" point guard/swing guard from Livermore, Maine and a 2020 graduate of Spruce Mountain High School has committed to the Mustangs for the fall of 2020.
Frye was named the MVC player of the year this year and played in the annual McDonald's all-star game in Bangor earlier this month. As an honor role student and member of boy's state, he was very involved in his school.
According to Spruce Mountain boys' basketball coach Scott Bessey, "Brandon was a coach's dream. He was just as good at practice as he was in games. He NEVER took a drill off and never went half speed at anything. No matter the drill, he was doing it 100% all the time, every day, every practice. If your most talented player is practicing like this it trickles down to the whole team and makes coaching just a little bit easier. Brandon has always been a little undersized and he used this as a motivating factor. His work in the weight room, and his time in the gym helped him so much in becoming the Player of the Year in the MVC conference."
"He is one of the most explosive players I have ever coached. His ability to get to top speed so quickly allowed him to attack the rim in the blink of an eye. The last couple years he developed a deadly pull up game that put defenders in a real tough spot. He was impossible to defend in transition. His vertical leap on his pullup and his jump shot in general more than made up for what some may see as a lack of size. I would say his weakness going into his Senior season was his 3-point shooting and we discussed this going into the off season and he worked his butt off on his own to address it. His senior year he dropped 54 3-pointers (School Record)."
"His senior year he scored 356 points (School Record for a season). Was POY in the MVC. McDonalds All-Star. Finished 3rd on the all-time scoring list at Spruce. Brandon accepts any challenges put in front of him because he's had to work hard for everything he's achieved. He loves the process and I feel very fortunate to have been his coach the last few years. I will miss him, not just the player but the young man. He's been such a blast to have around. He's a super kid."
Mustangs coach Dave Gonyea adds, "Coach Bessey told me I would be impressed once I saw Brandon play. After watching him lead his team to victory and moving flawlessly on the court, I knew he could play. My main concern was can he cover bigger guys in college. That question was answered the more time I spent with him. He is a no-nonsense kid who will do what it takes to win. I like his take no prisoners attitude and no quit personality. He has answered the bell all his life refuting those who didn't believe he could play. I think he can play and believe we can find a role for him in our program. It doesn't hurt his dad is a coach, and as we say, "gets it." Pound for pound I would put him up against anybody in our program as he is no stranger to the weight room; again, dad's influence there."
"Gonyea continues, "we have had good luck with kids out of the Jay area. Anthony York graduated from Spruce a few years ago and was one of my favorite players. We can go all the way back to Jason Leclerc in the nineties for a Jay legend who graduated from CM. In fact, I spoke with Jason's dad (Ronnie Leclerc) and he told me good thing about Brandon. At the end of the day, I think this kid will surprise a lot of people in Auburn."
Brandon responded below:
Why did you choose CM?
I chose CM because I thought it was the best choice for me. They not only offer programs I'm interested in educationally, but they also offer me a chance to continue playing basketball. It's also not too far from family which is nice.
What did you like most about the campus?
I like how the campus isn't too big, it's just right. I can't wait to play basketball in the gym. Everyone one campus seems very nice and helpful. The campus seems new and very modernized and has much to offer.
How do you think playing college basketball will differ from your previous experience?
I think it will be more fast paced and challenging. It will help improve my skills and up my game. I believe playing college basketball will help me understand the game even more then I know now, and make my love for the game grow more.
What are you most looking forward to about attending and playing basketball at CM?
I'm looking forward to be playing with new teammates. I can't wait to be part of a new family at CM, and to start to learn new things in the classrooms. I can't wait to start my next journey at CM this coming season.
What do you think you can bring to the team next year?
My work ethic, my commitment and responsibility that have learned from my high school coaches. My passion and love for the game of basketball and a great and supportive teammate that is working hard every day in practice and making it competitive for me and my teammates to get better.
Describe your basketball experience.
I have been playing basketball since kindergarten. Started playing AAU basketball in 4th grade until 11th grade. I played 4 years of high school basketball making Varsity my sophomore year. I was a 2-year starter.
What is your biggest strength in basketball?
My strengths are my quickness and explosiveness on the court. The ability to get the hoop and being able to hit the outside shot. Having great court vision to see my open teammates.
Brandon will begin studying in the General Studies program with the goal of moving into the Plumbing program.
