Photo by: Andrew Pedersen
With His Family On Hand, Harald Frey Plays His Final Game in Worthington Arena on Saturday
3/7/2020 3:25:00 PM | Men's Basketball
One of the greatest players in program history, Harald Frey appreciates relationships more than records
BOZEMAN, Montana – Harald Frey shoots jumpers in an otherwise empty Worthington Arena with his mom shagging for him and his dad sharing stories on the baseline nearby, and it is obvious that his basketball career has come full circle.
From his earliest days, basketball has been all about family for the player who is now third all-time in points at Montana State and one of only two players in Big Sky Conference history with more than 1,800 points and 500 assists. "And my mom," Frey says when asked if his father is his biggest basketball influence.
Staale Frey, Harald's father, is an important figure on the Norwegian sporting scene. He works with the nation's national teams as a trainer and physical therapist, with a background in coaching basketball. His mother Hege has played hoops competitively all of her life. His younger sister Anniken is a freshman point guard at Cal State Fullerton.
In a nation obsessed with skiing, the Frey family has always worked against the tide. "I just never got into (skiing), Frey says. "They always said they'd let me choose my own sport, just because they love basketball doesn't mean I (must) love basketball," Frey said. "But to me (the love of basketball) came natural."
Frey has played at a national-caliber level in his home country for many years, and some of his fondest memories of the game don't involve the hardwood. They revolve around family.
"Me and my dad have been close forever," he says. "We bonded over (basketball). I couldn't tell you how many games we've been at together, watching NBA games at midnight (in Norway), or March Madness. It's something we've been doing since I was young, talking basketball, X's and O's, what would you run now, that team is down two with 15 seconds left, do you go for two or go for three."
That acute knowledge of the game, honed during that "on-going conversation (with his father) that we've had so much fun with," has allowed Frey to become one of the most dynamic, well-rounded players in Bobcat history. His 1,875 career points is third-most in Bobcat history, 159 from second place, and his 270 career three-pointers is second-most all-time at MSU, seven more than his current head coach, Danny Sprinkle. His 510 career assists is second in Bobcat history, and his 136 steals is sixth.
This season alone, Frey scored a career-high 34 points in the season opener against nationally-ranked and likely NCAA Tournament entry Utah State, then topped that with 37 points against the Grizzlies when he made a career-high seven three-pointers. He banked in a buzzer-beater from beyond half-court to boost the Bobcats past UNC Greensboro, earning the No. 1 spot on ESPN SportsCenter's Top 10 Plays for the weekend.
The Bobcats enter his Senior Day having clinched the program's second regular season winning record in the last decade, and a win against Northern Colorado on Saturday would give the program its most wins (MSU is now 16-14 overall) in 18 years. But Frey isn't focused on records. He's focused on his teammates.
"I feel good about where we're at," he said as his squad sprints for the finish line. "I feel we're all staying together and want to finish this thing on a high note."
With his college career down to its final moments, Frey is grateful for his experience at Montana State. "It's been beyond what I could have asked for," he said. "I didn't know completely what to expect when I came all the way from Norway, but it's definitely been beyond my expectations, and there are so many people to thank for that – coaches, teammates, teachers, fans. There are a lot of people I could thank, but it's been amazing. It really has."
One person thankful that Frey made that journey across the globe is junior center Devin Kirby. The two roomed together upon arriving in Bozeman for the first time in the summer of 2016-17. "We roomed together in Roskie" Hall, Kirby said of those early moments with Frey. "Him being from overseas I was kind of nervous if we'd click or not, but I remember that first night when I moved all our stuff in we just clicked. It's been great to see that development we've had over the four years and now he's one of my best friends."
Frey says acceptance was never an issue. "What I remember most was how (the team) took me in. I did come from a different culture, a different language, left my family behind, friends behind, all that. I was scared at first, my first time moving away from home and coming somewhere I didn't know what to expect, but Devin Kirby my roommate, we bonded right away, and Tyler (Hall), Sam (Neumann), the coaches, I felt the love right away, felt the family atmosphere, and ever since then I took it and ran with it."
While Frey says he has not been emotional or nostalgic leading into his final game in Worthington Arena, he does sound philosophical. "I think if you can take in every moment and do the most with what you're given you can look back with no regrets regardless of how fast it's gone."
When Frey steps off the Worthington Arena floor Saturday for the final time, there is one thing for certain. He will have no regrets.
"It's been great."
#GoCatsGo
From his earliest days, basketball has been all about family for the player who is now third all-time in points at Montana State and one of only two players in Big Sky Conference history with more than 1,800 points and 500 assists. "And my mom," Frey says when asked if his father is his biggest basketball influence.
Staale Frey, Harald's father, is an important figure on the Norwegian sporting scene. He works with the nation's national teams as a trainer and physical therapist, with a background in coaching basketball. His mother Hege has played hoops competitively all of her life. His younger sister Anniken is a freshman point guard at Cal State Fullerton.
In a nation obsessed with skiing, the Frey family has always worked against the tide. "I just never got into (skiing), Frey says. "They always said they'd let me choose my own sport, just because they love basketball doesn't mean I (must) love basketball," Frey said. "But to me (the love of basketball) came natural."
Frey has played at a national-caliber level in his home country for many years, and some of his fondest memories of the game don't involve the hardwood. They revolve around family.
"Me and my dad have been close forever," he says. "We bonded over (basketball). I couldn't tell you how many games we've been at together, watching NBA games at midnight (in Norway), or March Madness. It's something we've been doing since I was young, talking basketball, X's and O's, what would you run now, that team is down two with 15 seconds left, do you go for two or go for three."
That acute knowledge of the game, honed during that "on-going conversation (with his father) that we've had so much fun with," has allowed Frey to become one of the most dynamic, well-rounded players in Bobcat history. His 1,875 career points is third-most in Bobcat history, 159 from second place, and his 270 career three-pointers is second-most all-time at MSU, seven more than his current head coach, Danny Sprinkle. His 510 career assists is second in Bobcat history, and his 136 steals is sixth.
This season alone, Frey scored a career-high 34 points in the season opener against nationally-ranked and likely NCAA Tournament entry Utah State, then topped that with 37 points against the Grizzlies when he made a career-high seven three-pointers. He banked in a buzzer-beater from beyond half-court to boost the Bobcats past UNC Greensboro, earning the No. 1 spot on ESPN SportsCenter's Top 10 Plays for the weekend.
The Bobcats enter his Senior Day having clinched the program's second regular season winning record in the last decade, and a win against Northern Colorado on Saturday would give the program its most wins (MSU is now 16-14 overall) in 18 years. But Frey isn't focused on records. He's focused on his teammates.
"I feel good about where we're at," he said as his squad sprints for the finish line. "I feel we're all staying together and want to finish this thing on a high note."
With his college career down to its final moments, Frey is grateful for his experience at Montana State. "It's been beyond what I could have asked for," he said. "I didn't know completely what to expect when I came all the way from Norway, but it's definitely been beyond my expectations, and there are so many people to thank for that – coaches, teammates, teachers, fans. There are a lot of people I could thank, but it's been amazing. It really has."
One person thankful that Frey made that journey across the globe is junior center Devin Kirby. The two roomed together upon arriving in Bozeman for the first time in the summer of 2016-17. "We roomed together in Roskie" Hall, Kirby said of those early moments with Frey. "Him being from overseas I was kind of nervous if we'd click or not, but I remember that first night when I moved all our stuff in we just clicked. It's been great to see that development we've had over the four years and now he's one of my best friends."
Frey says acceptance was never an issue. "What I remember most was how (the team) took me in. I did come from a different culture, a different language, left my family behind, friends behind, all that. I was scared at first, my first time moving away from home and coming somewhere I didn't know what to expect, but Devin Kirby my roommate, we bonded right away, and Tyler (Hall), Sam (Neumann), the coaches, I felt the love right away, felt the family atmosphere, and ever since then I took it and ran with it."
While Frey says he has not been emotional or nostalgic leading into his final game in Worthington Arena, he does sound philosophical. "I think if you can take in every moment and do the most with what you're given you can look back with no regrets regardless of how fast it's gone."
When Frey steps off the Worthington Arena floor Saturday for the final time, there is one thing for certain. He will have no regrets.
"It's been great."
#GoCatsGo
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