UTEP Basketball: Keith Frazier will not return to the team

UTEP interim head coach Phil Johnson says guard Keith Frazier will not return to the team for the final two regular season games and will also not play in the Conference USA Tournament, effectively ending his time with the Miners.

Frazier had not played in the team’s last five games and was not present this past Saturday for Senior Night ceremonies despite fact UTEP had prepared a framed jersey in his honor, according to Johnson.

The Miners have won three of those five games without Frazier, who also missed three games earlier in the season or personal reasons.

Johnson says in addition to missing Senior Night, Frazier’s attendance at practice had become an issue. So, Johnson decided not to take Frazier on the team’s upcoming road trip to Rice and North Texas and won’t allow him to play in the C-USA Tournament, which begins on March 7.

“You know, I’ve just tried everything in my power to keep him around because I think it’s important for him to be a part of something,” said Johnson. “With that said, he has made the decision to miss practice and not be on time, and we are going to move on.”

Frazier scored in double figures in nine of the team’s first 13 games before sitting out his first game against Rice on Dec. 30.