Founders Federal Credit Union is proud to support women's sports programs at USC Upstate; please enjoy the latest feature on USC Upstate Volleyball presented by Founders FCU. 

There was a summer day in 2023 when Zora Fray-Chinn smiled, paused, and realized she had found something she did not want to leave behind.

There were no teammates around yet. No packed gym or buzz of a season on the horizon. Just a new coaching staff, her father and a feeling that settled in quickly and quietly. After an initial stop that did not go as planned and a trip to the transfer portal, Fray-Chinn was not searching for flash. She was searching for a home.

“I was looking for a home away from home,” she said. “And when I got here to Spartanburg, it just felt right.”

Now a redshirt senior forward for USC Upstate women’s basketball, Fray-Chinn’s journey has been shaped as much by uncertainty as by growth. A native of Orlando, Fla., and a Timber Creek High School product, she began her college career at Wright State before entering the portal. What followed was not a straight line, but it was a defining one.

“When you’re 18 to 22 years old, you want to grow,” Fray-Chinn said. “Not just as a basketball player, but as a person. That’s exactly what happened for me here at Upstate.”

That growth has been evident on the court. Fray-Chinn arrived in Spartanburg as a guard, comfortable on the perimeter and accustomed to playing in space. Over the last two seasons, she has transitioned to the forward spot, spending more time in the paint, posting up, and defending bigger, stronger players.

“At first I was like, are we sure this is what we want to do?” she said, laughing. “I wasn’t comfortable. But I was pushed, and it worked.”

The adjustment paid off. Fray-Chinn has appeared in over 80 games during her Spartan career, carving out a reliable role while contributing across the stat sheet. This season, she has played in 11 games with seven starts, continuing to provide versatility and steadiness for a Spartan team.

Just as meaningful, though, has been her growth beyond basketball.

Self-described as an extrovert, Fray-Chinn admits that confidence did not always translate to speaking up. Early in her career, film sessions were quiet affairs for her, hands down, eyes forward. That changed quickly.

“Coach will call you out,” she said. “You’re going to talk. You’re going to speak up.”

The pressure was intentional. The result was leadership.

“The coaching staff pushed me into a position I didn’t know I was capable of,” Fray-Chinn said. “Now I’m confident using my voice and as a leader.”

That confidence has carried over into the classroom, where Fray-Chinn’s academic path took an unexpected turn. Originally an exercise science major with plans to stay close to sports, a single criminal justice class changed everything.

“I loved it,” she said. “I actually enjoyed studying and reading about it.”

She switched majors, completed her undergraduate degree through interdisciplinary studies and is now pursuing her master’s in criminal justice at USC Upstate. Her future goals are still taking shape, but the direction is clear.

“I want to advocate for others,” she said. “I want to be part of making change within the system.”

That passion recently earned Fray-Chinn one of the most meaningful honors of her career. She was named a Kay Yow Servant Leader for the 2025–26 season, becoming the first USC Upstate student-athlete to receive the award since its inception.

The honor recognizes student-athletes who embody the values of legendary NC State coach Kay Yow, including integrity, resilience and a commitment to serving others.

“It means everything,” Fray-Chinn said. “It reflects the values I try to live by every day.”

She was nominated by a member of the Upstate staff and accepted alongside five other Big South student-athletes. Winners wear a commemorative patch on their uniform, a visible reminder of servant leadership.

“It’s not just about what you do on the court,” Fray-Chinn said. “It’s about who you are.”

Ask Fray-Chinn about life beyond basketball, and you might be surprised by the answer. Between games and coursework, she unwinds by building Lego sets, tackling difficult puzzles and watching documentaries. Her current challenge is a fish tank puzzle, dominated by shades of blue and a lot of patience.

“It’s mostly water,” she said laughing. “It’s harder than it looks. It gives me a chance to do something outside of basketball or my studies.”

As her playing career winds down, Fray-Chinn knows basketball will always be part of her life, even if her body tells her it is time to hang up the shoes. Coaching, perhaps at the high school or AAU level, remains a possibility. The chance to give back, to provide the same guidance she received, matters to her.

And if she were ever asked to recruit someone to USC Upstate, her pitch would be simple.

“This is a place where you’ll be supported,” she said. “No matter your role. No matter the minutes. You’ll have a home here.”

For Fray-Chinn, that promise made all the difference.