Skylar Spencer "Sky’s the Limit"

At 6’9 222lbs Skylar Spencer brings a natural presence to the court. Add to that a 7’2 wingspan, exceptional timing, and that quick second “bounce” and you see a true defensive/rebounding presence which caught the attention of major college programs. As a Senior with LA’s Price High School Spencer has two things on his mind….a CIF Section Championship, followed by a California State Championship. May sound like the kid is shooting for the moon, but this fast rising hooper’s game and potential give the impression the sky’s the limit.

There’s plenty of talk surrounding Spencer’s game and a hint of disagreement as to his value at the next level. Rivals tagged Skylar a (3) star prospect. MaxPreps comes in with a (4) star rating. Watching video of the Price Forward leaves me the impression that MaxPreps has a better feel for his game. The long strides and off the chart energy have the big man up and down the court quicker than guys (4-6) inches shorter. His offensive game remains a work in progress, but the potential is clear. His athleticism and timing allow for plenty of put-back and run-out scoring chances. After securing an Xbox from his father after winning a backyard bet with his first ever dunk (8^th grade), the jam remains a key component in Skylar’s scoring arsenal. Assuming he continues to refine his inside game and establish a consistent jumper, Skylar should develop into a consistent contributor on the offensive side. Citing a “constant push from Mom” my guess is the Kevin Durant fan makes significant strides as a viable scoring threat.

If the scoring game is a work in progress, the shot blocking and rebounding portions are just about small refinements. Skylar holds that innate sense of timing all great shot blockers seem to possess. On the inside, what de doesn’t block, he certainly alters. Solid footwork and the aforementioned quick second “bounce” put Spencer in the rare company of players in position to block multiple shots during a single possession. What strikes me as strange is the gap in hype between Spencer and ’11 5 star recruit Angelo Chol. Chol may have filled the stat sheet a bit more, but his San Diego opponents just didn’t carry the same level of competition as those Spencer faces in Los Angeles. As Spencer continues to fill out and bulk up he should only continue to establish his inside presence on both ends of the court.

On the next level I project Skylar as an immediate force on the defensive end and a future candidate for Conference Defensive Player of the year honors. A more developed offensive game will serve as icing on the cake and is certainly within Spencer’s reach. Citing offers from top flight programs including UNLV, Gonzaga, Cal, Washington, Washington State, and Florida State, it’s clear Coach Steve Fisher and the San Diego State coaching did their homework in securing an early Letter of Intent. ESPN’s Basketball Recruiting profile summed it up in declaring “Spencer is one of the fastest rising prospects in the country”.

Most telling in Spencer’s game may be his team-oriented nature. Best on the court memory:  “Winning the State title as a Sophomore”. Finish the statement: This time next year….”I’ll be putting on a SDSU jersey before every game”. Predictions for this season: “Leading my team to a CIF and State championship”.  Mix in a 3.7 GPA and this is the type of athlete you can’t help but root for and can’t help but envision as having a very bright future. Follow Skylar Spencer via Twitter : @skyrodrigo