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UA receives verbal commitment from Phoenix center

Frye likely to replace Woods

The UA men's basketball team got a glance of the future yesterday, as Channing Frye, a junior center at St. Mary's High School in Phoenix, orally committed to the program.

Frye, who stands 6 feet 11 inches, will be eligible to play for the 2001-2002 team and will likely replace Loren Woods as the team's starting center.

"That all depends," Frye said of his chance to start. "If I work hard on all the things coach (Lute) Olson and the coaching staff tell me to."

Frye made his decision yesterday, without making an official visit to any school. The center chose UA over Notre Dame and Connecticut.

"Me and my family discussed it, it was basically me," Frye said of his decision. "I just prayed on it, I just felt it. I just had a gut feeling that this was the place to be."

Frye said he made his decision early so that he could concentrate on his education and improving his game during the summer. He has a 2.9 grade point average and will take the SAT this week.

Frye led St. Mary's to the Class 5A semifinals last year, while averaging 15 points, 12 rebounds and seven blocks a game.

His strong points are running the floor, shot blocking, his shot hands and his athleticism, according to his head coach at St. Mary's, David Lopez.

"He's pretty much got the whole package," Lopez said. "He's a very nice gentleman, he's got a real good sense of humor, a good work ethic."

Frye is the first in-state player to sign with Arizona since sophomore small forward Richard Jefferson.