Saint Louis Men's Basketball Signs Tom Frericks

ST. LOUIS — Saint Louis University head men’s basketball coach Brad Soderberg today announced that 6-foot-9 forward Tom Frericks (Bowling Green, Ky. / Greenwood) has signed a National Letter of Intent to attend the University and play basketball for the Billikens. A transfer from Chipola Junior College in Marianna, Fla., Frericks (Pronounced frair’ - icks) will have two years of eligibility beginning with the 2003-04 academic year.

“Tom brings that strength, rebounding and defensive ability that we need to fill the hole left by Kenny Brown and Chris Braun,” Soderberg said. “He also has the ability to score in the post, so we can throw it to him with some confidence. Having been at UAB, Tom’s experienced in this league and has a good idea about what it takes to be successful in Conference USA.”

The 250-pound Frericks averaged 10.4 points and 7.8 rebounds per game at Chipola during the 2002-03 season as the Indians posted a 23-9 record. He shot 58 percent from the field and 60 percent from the free throw line to help Chipola to the semifinals of the NJCAA Region VIII tournament after a runner-up finish in the Panhandle Conference.

Frericks was named All-Conference and earned a berth on the Region VIII All-Tournament team. Chipola had six other players sign with NCAA Division I programs from this year’s sophomore class.

“Tom is a big, strong, physical low-post player,” said Chipola head coach Ryan Cross. “He will fit in well at Saint Louis with its style of play. It is a good fit for Tom and the Billikens.”

Frericks spent one season at Chipola after transferring from UAB. As a freshman with the Blazers in 2000-01, Frericks averaged 2.1 points and 2.4 rebounds per game in 7.5 minutes per game. He enjoyed one of his best performances with 10 points in a loss to the Billikens on March 3, 2001. Frericks sat out the 2001-02 season as a medical hardship before leaving for Chipola.

Frericks was a finalist for Kentucky’s 2000 Mr. Basketball honor as a senior at Greenwood High School in Bowling Green, Ky. He averaged 18.6 points, 12.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game as a senior while leading the state in field goal percentage at .640.

Frericks is the second junior college signee in this recruiting class. Iowa Western Community College point guard Brandon Morris (Kenosha, Wis./St. Joseph’s) signed with the Billikens during 2002 fall early signing period. Prep guard Darren Clarke (Minnetonka, Minn./Hopkins) also signed during the early period.