Junior guard Zion Fruster transferred into Eastern’s basketball program from University of Virginia’s College at Wise this year. 

The Douglasville, Georgia, native began playing basketball when his mom put the ball in his hands at the age of 5. 

“Zion [Fruster] has meant a lot to this program,” Eastern’s head coach Marty Simmons said. “He’s a terrific young man on and off the court, brings great effort to practice every day. He really wants to be good.” 

Fruster grew up playing basketball in rec leagues with his friends, but he was also a multi-sport athlete, participating in football, soccer and track. 

Although being an all-around athlete, Fruster prioritized basketball and football more. 

Early on, Fruster was more focused on football because of his dad, and it was the first sport he loved to play. 

On the football field, Fruster played multiple positions, including quarterback, safety and defensive back. 

As he got older, Fruster’s passion shifted from football to basketball. 

When he got to middle school, basketball became his passion. So much so that Fruster transferred schools for basketball. Throughout his middle school years, Fruster’s passion for basketball kept growing. 

“Basketball has always been my outlet of fun, especially where I am from,” Fruster said. “It didn’t matter if we went to the park to hoop or go to the gym or we are in school hooping, it was something we always do.” 

Once Fruster got to high school, he started to take basketball more seriously, working to perfect his craft and trying to implement new techniques into his style of play. 

“When I was younger, I was more of a shooter, trying to play defense and be fast,” Fruster said. “I didn’t start developing until my sophomore year. That’s when I started dunking, and that’s when everything came together from being fast, explosive and getting stronger.” 

He worked on his game with his trainer Jamal Farmer who has been with him since elementary school. He still trains Fruster to this day. 

Fruster played in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League, Adidas and Under Armour circuits during the summer, and he played for the GA Canes, Atlanta Celtics and Georgia Stars.  

Playing in all these big tournaments, Fruster has played against players who are now in the NBA, like Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isacc Okoro and NBA guard Sharife Cooper. 

“I enjoyed basketball because we got to travel to Florida, Boston, we went all over to places to play basketball and doing it with friends I grew up with,” Fruster said. 

After the growth in his game, Fruster said he realized he could take care of his family. 

“I didn’t want my mom to be in debt because of basketball, so I wanted to be able to take care of her in the end and enjoy something and not really have to work,” Fruster said. “So just being able to use my natural talents that I was given and keep playing the game of basketball.” 

Junior year of high school was when Fruster took his game to the next level.  

Fruster said that he could be in the gym all day if it were up to him. Lifting, at the sand pit, sauna or on the court, Fruster would be everywhere working on his game.  

Following his junior year of high school, Fruster got offers from junior colleges and schools in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Fruster didn’t want to just be known as a shooter. He wanted to show off his overall athleticism to schools and universities in his one year left in high school. 

“I didn’t always want to be just a shooter; that’s not the role I wanted to take,” Fruster said. “I wanted to be a good shooter who could drive and do it all off the bounce. I wanted to do everything on top of being athletic.” 

Fruster played at Alexander High School, where he averaged 15.7 points per game as a senior and led his team to a 24-5 record and the Georgia Class 6A State playoffs. 

Going into his senior season, Fruster got Division II offers: one from Albany State and the other from Virginia Wise. 

At first, Fruster was tempted to go to Albany State, but it wasn’t the right opportunity for him to succeed because he knew the player he was and what he could be in the future. 

After his senior year, Fruster packed up what he needed and went to Virginia Wise in Wise, Virginia. 

Looking back at his days playing for Highland Cavaliers, Fruster was glad he started off at a lower level so he had time to perfect himself on and off the court. 

“I didn’t want to start off at a high level,” Fruster said. “I wanted to develop and mature into my game as well as becoming a man.” 

Going to Virginia Wise was a new experience for Fruster. Being about six hours away from home was a change for Fruster, and the geographical relocation was one of the biggest chances Fruster had to adapt to. 

“We were in the mountains, and I’m from the city,” Fruster said. “It was cold down there, and it was hot where I’m from, so it was real different.” 

Virginia Wise wasn’t a big party school, he said, and that helped Fruster focus on his game and his academics and be able to chase his goal of playing professionally in the future. 

During his freshman year with the Highland Cavaliers, the team made it to the championship game, but due to a miniature fracture in his right thumb after trying to dunk the ball while two defenders pinned his hand on the backboard, Fruster could not finish out the season. 

He came back from his injury and had an impressive sophomore year, averaging 18.0 points per game, leading the program. 

Fruster said he appreciated his two years at Virginia Wise. Being in that atmosphere allowed Fruster to learn more about himself as a player on the court. 

“It took me two years to really learn myself and develop and know how I wanted to play and take my time and find my way to the next level,” Fruster said. 

When the opportunity presented itself, Fruster decided to transfer and continue his basketball career at a higher level.  

In the transfer portal, other schools like Incarnate Word, West Georgia and Mississippi State reached out to Fruster, but one school in particular stood out to him: Eastern Illinois University. 

“My connection with Eastern was stronger,” Fruster said. “I kept in touch with the coaches and the coaches seemed more interested and I was interested as well.” 

Eastern was Fruster’s first official visit, and he said he liked the scenery and the atmosphere. 

In his short time with Eastern so far, Fruster has made an impact. 

“He’s what college basketball is all about,” Simmons said. “He wants to excel not only on the basketball floor but in the classroom and in the community as well.” 

Fruster currently averages 12.0 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. 

“Zion [Fruster] is a great player,” senior guard NaKyel Shelton said. “He’s talented and brings a lot to this team on the offensive and defensive side. He’s a great teammate as well and helps us out in so many ways.”  

Fruster said the transition for him has been good for him, and the connection between him and his teammates have helped with that. 

“I love to play on the court with Zion,” graduate forward Kooper Jacobi said, “[I’m] very glad he came here.” 

Cameron Thomas can be reached at 581-2812 or at cathomas8@eiu.edu.