Unnoticed until it matters: Love of the game worth the madness that comes with being a ref
By Hayden
Published on March 19, 2026.
Former BYU basketball standout Bernie Fryer, who now serves as an NBA official, has been a key figure in the making of refereeing in college basketball's most iconic month, March Madness. He recalls a memorable game in 2002 involving the Sacramento Kings, which ended in an 89-86 loss to the Utah Jazz. Despite this, Fryer's decision to rule out a last-minute shot for a player who disagreed with Fryer’s call, which was not yet available due to instant replay. Despite these challenges, he remains committed to improving his refereeing skills in the NBA. The transition from sport to sport can be difficult due to the demands of a busy schedule, and the stress of being involved in multiple sports can outweigh potential mishaps.
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