Andy Katz confirmed the rumors and speculation that Shamari Spears is leaving. In search of more playing time and a location closer to home, Spears is expected to transfer to Charlotte. I wish him well. It's a shame that he's leaving only weeks after Al finally found a niche for him.
Despite the upturn at the end of the season, it wasn't a good year for Spears. After starting off with double doubles in three of his first four games, Spears minutes and effort declined. As I mentioned many times throughout the season, we needed Spears to play four feet from the basket. Instead he seemed to prefer playing 12 feet away and hoisting up fadeaways. While a decent rebounder, Spears never became the finisher we needed. His defense also suffered in conference play. He did not have the strength to guard the big men nor the speed to disrupt wing players.
Shamari seemed at his best coming off the bench. Whether he was trying to prove something or the short bursts of PT helped his focus, he proved useful. As a 6th man he showed more energy and emotion than he did in most of his time as a starter. And he was more productive.
The biggest problem for Spears, Skinner and BC fans was he just wasn't the next great diamond in the rough. A good player, not a great one. Yet we needed him to be special to continue the legacy. I think Shamari thinks he can be more than he is (hence the clanky jumpers when he should be inside). He may make a leap in his development...it just won't be at the Heights.
Season Grade: B-
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15 comments:
There's a rumor that another hoop player along with Spears is transferring. It's most likely to be either Roche or Kaba.
have you ever noticed that spears seemed to explode against mid-major type teams but then fade into oblivion against ACC-caliber teams? i bet he dominates at charlotte.
B-. Are you joking? I wish I had you as a teacher when I was going to school. He was a D+ at best and was one of the main reasons for our collapse this year as he contributed next to nothing. He was one of the dumbest players I have ever seen as well.
Amen to that Ted. Talk about grade inflation. I thought that only ran rampant at Harvard. I wish I had him as a professor as well. These grades are an absolute joke. "Despite the upturn at the end of the season, it wasn't a good year for Spears." Right after you say this you still give him a B-? While he doesn't deserve a D, a C or C- is a perfect grade for a very average player who put up an average to disappointing season.
Spears let me down and didn't make the leap. But I had a hard time giving our leading rebounder and a guy who gave us four double-doubles.
don't let the door hit you on the way out
Atl Eagle I respect your optimism but on a team that was arguably the worst in the Acc, Roche was given a C and Spears a B-. These are probably the worst players on the team for what they were expected to provide this year. Who is going to be given a real grade?
To be fair to ATL, I think the grades are supposed to be relative. We weren't good this season, but there's no point in giving everyone a D- and repeating that they stunk. Obviously Shamari wasn't a great player, and probably not even a B- (or he would have started), but on this team he was sometimes the only one getting boards and playing anything close to a prototypical low-block offense.
http://www.charlotte.com/sports_breaking/story/562317.html
Shamari Spears an Dayne Kaba will both be transfering...
Thanks for your time, Shamari. A VERY disappointing season for Spears. I would give him a C- at best.
At least Kaba and Spears free up two schollies. Let's get some big men in house STAT.
So ultimately the 2004-2006 recruiting classes:
5 Transfers (Watt, Neisler, Haynes, Spears, Kaba)
2 Dismissals (Williams, McLain)
1 Disappointment thusfar (Roche)
1 Average Player (Oates)
1 Star (Rice)
I always thought Skinner was a better recruiter than in-game coach, but looking at the recent history does not seem to support that. Hopefully the current freshman and the incoming class (plus Trapani) can change that around
That 3 year stretch definitely looks rough. But things are (hopefully) turning around with this past freshman class - where 4 of 5 contributed and will be expected to contribute next year - and the incoming class which contains the 2nd best SG in the West and another top player from that way. Plus whoever Al finds to fill these holes. Hopefully not too late in the game to find at least one big man with some skill.
Calling Oats average is generous at best. Oats was so bad he made me want to stab my eyes out everytime he was on the court. I have had season tickets for Basketball now for a couple of years and I have had to be restrained from leaving the stadium because of him. HE SUCKS the most frustrateing person I have ever watched play BC Basketball!!! I would take Brain Ross or even Kirsten Zoellner over him. Spears also sucked so good ridence.
Yall eagles fans a bunch of bullshit dont get mad at spears get mad at skinner at the begginning we were going strong then when its time for acc play skinner wont to fuck up the lineups if skinner wouldnt mess up the lineups maybe we will be in the tournamet or in the NIT .Spears grade is a B+ cause when he was starting he was averaging a double double so I see why spears wont to leave.
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