Frankie Fidler (201-F-2003, college: Michigan St.) is a 23 year old 201cm forward that played his rookie season overseas with Rigas Zelli (Latvia-LBL) averaging (21.7ppg), Reb-4 (7.3rpg), Assists-4 (4.6apg), Steals-2 (1.6spg), FGP: 55.6%, 3PT-3 (40.0%), FT-5 (93.4%); in the ENBL averaged Score-3 (23.1ppg), 5.7rpg, 3.6apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 61.5%, 3PT: 31.6%, FT: 88.9%; and in the Latvian-Estonian Basketball League averaged Score-2 (21.1ppg), 6.4rpg, 2.6apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 58.0%, 3PT: 41.4%, FT-3 (87.0%). He began his basketball career at Bellevue West High school and then played 3 seasons at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (NCAA) averaging 12.8ppg, 3.7rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 50.8%, 3PT: 42.9%, FT: 82.4%, 14.7ppg, 5.8rpg, 2.7apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 48.1%, 3PT: 27.9%, FT: 88.7% and 20.2ppg, 6.2rpg, 2.6apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 50.6%, 3PT: 36.2%, FT: 85.3%. He then finished at Michigan State University (NCAA) averaging 6.7ppg, 3.3rpg, FGP: 48.5%, 3PT: 20.7%, FT: 83.9%. He spoke to germanhoops.com during the 2025-2026 ENBL season.

Thanks Frankie for talking to germanhoops.com. Your played your rookie season overseas with Rigas Zelli (Latvia-LBL). What kind of an experience has it been and what have you enjoyed most about it?

You know I was optimistic when I first heard where I was going for my rookie season and it was nothing short of a great experience. I was able to really understand the European lifestyle and the thing I’ve enjoyed the most is adapting to the culture and finding what things I can use from my life back home out here.

What was it like been like being teammates with Janis Berzins? He won 6 titles in different countries and has ACB experience. Was he like a mentor for you early on?

It’s been great. He’s been a great mentor because of his experience all across Europe and I rely on him a lot to answer my questions not only about basketball but about life as well. He hasn’t only been a great teammate, but a friend as well and I’m glad I was able to cross paths with him so early in my career.

You have played excellent averaging 23,0ppg in the ENBL and 21,0ppg in the Latvian league and filled the stat sheet very well. What do you believe was your secret to having been able not to preform solidly but potently?

I think being able to play free and be myself has been vital for my success which is a testament to my teammates and coaches. Our playstyle fit my game and allowed me to play in space and either create for myself or my teammates. At the end of the day though, it’s about confidence and believing in yourself when you step foot on the court. Believing that no one can stop me from being me.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 201cm forward that can fill the stat sheet with ease. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would come to mind?

I’d probably compare myself as I’m a mixture of Jaden McDaniels or Max Strus. I think I have the ability as my career moves forward to be an elite defender and a knockdown shooter. A true 3&D player. Right now though, I think I’m more of an on the ball player, which I wouldn’t say I play like them but I do watch a lot of film on the ways James Harden and Devin Booker like to score, so implementing some of their styles into my game have been a key of mine.

You have always filled the stat well. How big is versatility a staple of your game?

I think it’s a huge part of my game on both sides of the ball. Um offensively, being able to play you know position 2 through 4 is big for our team. Being able to attack different types of mismatches and then that’s the same for defense. Being able to switch 1-5 and actually stopping the offensive player is a big deal. Anybody can switch but can you not get scored on is the important thing.

You have shot the ball very well in your career starting from the NCAA until now. How have you observed the development of your three point shot? Where do you see it now and to what level do you still want to bring it to?

Yea over my career I’ve actually tweaked my shot a few times to find what suits me and feels comfortable for me. I actually think this season is the best I’ve felt about my shot and I only want to keep improving it, which I believe starts with how fast can I get a catch and shoot off, then how fast can I do it off the dribble. After that, moving shots. How fast can I get my feet set and on balance to feel comfortable to shoot. There are a lot of ways to keep improving your shot and I want to take it a step at a time but I know that reps are the most important thing for me. How many reps does it take for you to make something second nature, can you do it with your eyes closed, can you do it when you’re dead tired, etc.. A lot of things go into being a great shooter and I want to attack those as early as I can in my career so when I’m at my best, I won´t have anything to slow me down.

How would you classify your defensive game right now? What kind of a defender do you still want to become?

I think I have potential to be an elite defender for all 40 minutes of a game. Right now, I have lapses on defense especially off the ball which I’m conscious about. I’m working with my coaches through watching film and breaking down scenarios to be focused and in stance every second of every defensive possession. I think I need to offer more physicality as well, especially here in Europe it´s important to know when you can use your hands or use your body to create contact.

On what areas of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to improve your game?

I try to work on everything when I can. I think the most important things right now are just keeping myself focused on the defensive end and reading the floor better on offense. Both things that come with film study and being conscious about improving.

You played at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (NCAA) form 2021-2024 and improved your scoring and rebound average every year. How did your overall game develop under Derrin Hansen and Chris Crutchfield?

I give a lot of credit to Coach Hansen for allowing me to be myself my first year in college. Letting me play through freshman mistakes, which instilled confidence in my ability to become who I am now. Coach Crutch just took my game to another level. He coached some elite guys at Oklahoma (Buddy Hield, Trae Young) so there was no reason for me to not listen to what he was saying to me and what he thought the best ways for me to be great were. He is one of few coaches that having a relationship during the season mattered with. Yeah we butted heads sometimes, but we are both competitors with the desire to sacrifice whatever was needed to win. I truly appreciate Crutch and the time I played for him, he’s still a great mentor for me that I reach out to with any problems I have because he’s been around the game for a while and I trust what he tells me.

You had 3 amazing games where you had 2 buzzer beaters and one game winner against Kansas City, Denver and North Dakota. What game had the biggest meaning to you?

Oh man, definitely the North Dakota game just because it was in our conference tournament and just felt like a magical moment for me. I actually missed I think 2 or 3 game winners that season so I put some internal pressure on myself that I was still that same clutch player as I was my freshman year.That Denver one was special tho man, I think it was senior night. It was a tough season with not a lot of wins on our record. Idk the whole sequence was special. I scored like 11 points in the last 75 seconds or something and then capped it off with the game winner. I felt like that was the first like real defining moment of my career, like who I could become.

What was it like being teammates with your brother Louis? What kind of a relationship do you guys share?

Good question because it wasn’t always butterflies and sunshine being on the same team as him. We actually butted heads a lot on the court but I think that’s how it goes in a competitive environment, especially with family. But I mean off the court it was great, having my big brother around again was a dream come true (we played together in high school too). Being able to share laughs with him and build new memories was great and I am very blessed and thankful we had that opportunity to share the court again.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Marquel Sutton?

He’s a problem to guard 1-1 because of his size and strength but I ended up figuring him out at one point of our time on the same team, so I’d say the total record is pretty even but I’ve definitely got more wins hahaha

You played one more season with Michigan State University (NCAA) averaging 6.7ppg, 3.3rpg, FGP: 48.5%, 3PT: 20.7%, FT: 83.9%. What kind of an experience was this? You didn´t have the kind of role like you had the previous years, but reached the NCAA Elite 8.

Yea I mean it was a great experience with the team, I think the bond we shared on and off the court is ultimately what helped us win so many games and get as far as we did in March. As for me, I knew I was going to have to sacrifice something moving up a level. I didn’t know it was going to be as much as I did, but I mean I´m not mad about how it played out. We won a championship together and built lifelong memories while doing it so I’ll be forever grateful for my time at Michigan State under Izzo and for the fans, who really made the games super enjoyable to play in. Go Green!

What memories do you have of that Elite 8 run beating Ole Miss and losing to Auburn? What was your fondest moment in that run?

So that was my first time playing in March madness so I think the whole vibe it gave off is something I will always remember. I’m getting chills just thinking about the intensity, the atmosphere, and the pressure that was on us because you got 1 game to move on every round. You don´t get a second chance. My favorite moment had to be closing out the New Mexico State game. We weren’t playing good all game and I was able to check in and create a spark late in the second half to help us win. The environment of that game was incredible. Something I’ll never forget.

How did head coach Tom Izzo give you that last push to help you become a professional player?

Yeah coach was very tough on me, which was something to deal with during the season especially when I was trying to find my own rhythm and my own flow throughout games. But I think the most important thing I learned from him was what it took to win at a high level. The amount of focus, intensity, and togetherness needed to win championships is crazy high and coach taught me how to maximize that for myself.

Who is the toughest player that you ever faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

That’s tough but I would say Jaden Ivey at Purdue my freshman year. He looked the part physically and was so athletic his sophomore year so it wasn’t surprising he left and got drafted that year.

Who are your 5 best teammates of all-time?

That’s tough man, I’ve had some great teammates over my career on different teams. Um I would have to start with my highschool facilitator Chucky Hepburn, we had a different type of chemistry on the court and he was one of best friends growing up. Tony Osburn and Marquel Sutton at Omaha, both are some of my closest friends to this day. I would have to say Tre Holloman at Michigan State, he helped me the most with my transition to playing for Izzo and am forever grateful for that relationship. Last but not least, its a toss up but probably Nick Sanders at State. He was the ultimate locker room guy. Didn’t play much but man could he put a smile on your face. Miss that guy!

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Lebron (front and center), MJ, Shaq, Steph Curry

Who is your GOAT?

Lebron EASYYYYY

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

I actually haven’t seen the sequel to that. I’ll have to check it out though!

Thanks Frankie for the chat.