By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium
Despite a disappointing loss to Seattle Academy in the Metro League playoffs Monday night, Franklin’s Christian Fisher already has his sights set on the future of the program. The 6’0″ forward has been making a name for himself, including a standout 24-point performance in the Quakers’ final regular-season game against Cleveland. Now, he’s focused not only on his own development but on elevating the Franklin basketball program as a whole.
“I want to make a name for ourselves as a team and put us back on the map,” Fisher said. “And hopefully some of that exposure can lead into the AAU season.”
Fisher, who also competes in AAU basketball, believes the experience exposes him to a different level of competition, surrounded by elite athletes from across the country.
“AAU and high school are very different, especially with all of the travel. There is a lot of different talent in AAU because players are coming in from different places, whereas in Seattle, you kind of know who the top teams are, and you play them more than once,” Fisher said. “The AAU environment is just different. You have college coaches watching you, you have other players with offers, and you have to adjust to the time zone you are playing in, so sometimes it gets kind of crazy.”
That level of exposure and intensity has shaped Fisher’s mindset when competing in the Metro League, one of Washington’s most competitive high school basketball leagues known for producing top talent.
“I just have to focus on getting my shots up to prepare to go up against other top teams in Metro. It is nothing out of the ordinary, but I do have to prepare for those games,” Fisher said. “I tell myself that I can do it, so there is no doubt in myself and my team. It really is just more of a mentality more than anything when it comes to preparing for those high-matched games.”
Fisher’s mother, Anita, believes her son’s success comes down to his mentality. She has seen firsthand how his focus and confidence make him a powerful player.
“He is so powerful when he doesn’t overthink. He plays harder when the teams are more competitive and goes out there and is able to dominate on the court when he wants to,” Anita said. “Christian is dominant, intense, and a very skillful player.”
Franklin Head Coach Tavar Proctor has praised Fisher not just for his skills, but for his ability to be a great teammate—a trait that is often overlooked in today’s game.
“He is a great student to have. He is ultimately all about his teammates thriving, he is a great teammate, and I just told him that yesterday,” Proctor said. “He plays hard and is very aggressive, but I think that his biggest attribute is being the ultimate teammate. He is excited when his guys make a great play, and that goes unnoticed a lot nowadays in basketball. But I notice it, and I tell him that every time.”
Adjusting to different school environments can be a challenge for any student, but especially for student-athletes. Between navigating a different social environment and a new team with different schemes and coaches can be difficult, however, Fisher is successfully navigating his academic progress and building stronger team chemistry.
“We should hang out more outside of basketball. Our chemistry on the court is great, but off the court, we don’t speak as much personally,” Fisher said. “We have a new head coach this year, but because he was in the program before coaching the girls’ team, it wasn’t that much of a change because everyone already knew who he was.”
Proctor, who previously coached Franklin’s girls’ basketball team, acknowledged the transition to leading the boys’ program has been a journey, but he’s fully invested in building a strong culture.
“It has been a journey, but I am not in unfamiliar territory,” Proctor said. “As far as being the head coach, there are some things that we are trying to make adjustments to, but overall, it has been a fun journey. We are building relationships with the players and establishing a culture for the program.”
After spending his sophomore year at Hazen, Fisher’s family moved back into Seattle and was faced with a choice to return back to O’Dea, or to attend his new neighborhood school which was Franklin. Despite some struggles early in his academic career, Fisher has successfully navigated the daunting task of balancing his academics with the rigorous schedule of being a scholar athlete.
Anita said that despite all of the moving around, her son, who once struggled with his academics, has managed to balance being a student-athlete very well in his new environment.
“At this point in his basketball career, it’s not just his skill set that college coaches are looking at, it is his academics as well. And when we sat down with the counselor, the counselor let him know what he would have to do, and he’s achieved it,” Anita said. Coming out of his first year at O’Dea, which was extremely challenging academically, seeing the turn that he has made with his grades—I am really proud,”
Now in his junior year, Fisher has embraced being a part of Franklin’s program and has enjoyed every minute of it.
“It has been a good environment, and I enjoy it,” Fisher said. “Transferring to Franklin, I have had a good time even off of the court, and on the court, I get along with my teammates and my coaches, so it is enjoyable.”
As he continues to grow both as a player and a student, Anita is confident in her son’s dedication and future.
“There is a lot to be proud of Christian for. He is focused, he loves the sport, he loves the game, and he is still really focused on his grades right now. I don’t really have too much to worry about when it comes to my son,” Anita said. “And I know that basketball and school are his entire life right now, so I am really proud of his commitment, his dedication, and his focus this year.”
