Spearman's stock skyrockets

How many of the top 60 ranked juniors in the country don’t start for their high school?

It’s not for certain, but probably just one -- Simeon’s Brandon Spearman Recently moved all the way up to No. 56 in the nation by Rivals.com, Spearman may be one of the hottest commodities elsewhere , but after transferring this summer he’s still working to prove himself worthy of a spot in Simeon’s starting lineup.

In time, he is likely to start for the Wolverines – Simeon coach Robert Smith loves what he brings to the table -- but the question remaining is how Spearman elevated his stock so much that he’s now included as one of the top Class of 2010 players in the entire country.

Nothing against Spearman, but there are two reasons why his ranking shocked many. He had a sub-par high school season, and he admits that. Second, he’s considered by most local recruiting analysts to be in the No. 15-20 range in Illinois’ junior class.

In Rivals’ rankings, only Crandall Head (No. 11), Jereme Richmond (32) and Anthony Johnson (35) were ahead of Spearman in the state.

“That’s a huge jump,” recruiting analyst Roy Schmidt said. “I would say I’m a little surprised. I’m not exactly sure what they based that on. … Richmond’s ranking, too, quite frankly, I’m not sure how they came up with that. I’d be the first the say he hasn’t done anything remarkable this spring, but he also hasn’t done anything to plummet.”

A big part of Rivals’ ranking was based on Spearman’s performance at the recent Nike Hoops Jamboree in St. Louis. After seeing Spearman there, Rivals top recruiting analyst Jerry Meyer wrote: “Not many guards want Spearman defending them. At 185-pounds at 6-foot-2, he is a strong athlete who can lock up the best offensive players. His passion for defending is quite refreshing, and he’s a pretty good offensive player as well.”

Smith backed up every word of Meyer’s. In his appearances with Simeon this summer, Spearman has impressed his new coach.

“He brings defense and energy,” Smith said. “He brings that toughness that we’ve been lacking. He’s a big asset for us. Right now he’s running around and using his basketball ability. Once he learns our system, he’ll fit in even more.”

Spearman arrived to Simeon following the school year after transferring from Hales Franciscan. It was at Hales that Spearman introduced himself and his game to the state as a freshman. Brought up midway through the season, Spearman’s rebounding, his aggressiveness and his defense quickly made him a fixture in Hales’ rotation and he became one to watch in the Class of 2010 for scouts. Valparaiso even offered him as a freshman.

Everyone expected an even bigger sophomore season. But it never happened. Spearman never took a second step in his game and struggled throughout the year.

“I didn’t have a really good sophomore year,” Spearman said.

With that in mind, Spearman attacked the spring AAU season like he would the basket. Playing with the Illinois Warriors, Spearman went back to the basics and decided to rely on his work ethic to take him where he wanted to go.

“Just playing hard, giving it all you have,” Spearman said. “I brought it out in the AAU season.”

Warriors coach Larry Butler has witnessed Spearman throughout the spring and summer turn back around his game. The biggest difference for Butler has been the return of Spearman’s confidence. With that has come better decision making and more scoring. Plus, it has placed a higher ceiling on his game.

“I’m not surprised by his ranking,” Butler said. “Brandon has a lot of potential. I’ve always been high on him. Brandon will end up a high-major guy.”

Spearman believes that, too. He isn’t a cocky person, but he has plenty of confidence in himself.

“Yeah, I expected to be in the top 100, 50,” he said. “I’ve been having a great summer. I don’t really look at the rankings in the state. I try to play my game nationally. I thank Rivals for giving a good look at me.”

Spearman is just another case how playing well before the right people during the AAU season can boost a player’s status. Iman Shumpert learned that last season and ended up at Georgia Tech.

“It shows you the importance of spring and summer basketball,” Schmidt said. “It’s almost the end all now. All too often a player’s reputation is made or destroyed depending on what he does during the spring and summer. The regular high school season has become secondary.”

Right now, Spearman has offers from Iowa State and Valpo. He has also heard from Cincinnati, Marquette, Miami of Ohio and Purdue. Where Spearman wants to go in the rankings should eventually get him even more looks.

“By my senior year, I want to be top 10, top 20 in the country,” Spearman said.