Wake Forest Athletics
Deacon Sports Xtra: Spear Looks to Expand Game with USA Basketball This Summer
5/27/2021 12:34:00 PM | Women's Basketball, Les Johns
“This summer I’m just going to keep working on getting better. Some people think I’m just a shooter. I’m not going to be just a shooter, I’m going to be able to drive and display other things in my game.” - Jewel Spear
Excited just to have the opportunity to compete, Wake Forest freshman guard Jewel Spear cashed in and was selected to play on the USA Basketball U19 World Cup Team, which was announced by USA Basketball late Sunday evening after three days of trials.
She was one of nine players picked to the squad out of 28 who made the trip to USA Basketball headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo.
The team will play in the 2021 FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup in Debrecen, Hungary Aug. 7-19.
"I'm very excited, blessed and humbled to have this opportunity," Spear said before the trials. "I'm anxious and excited."
Spear was unaware this opportunity would be presented to her until late April.
"It sprung up out of nowhere," Spear said. "By the end of April, I received an email from USA Basketball inviting me to tryout. I was shocked. It's such an honor just to be invited, with all the talented freshmen and high school seniors across the country. It was amazing and a blessing."
As a true freshman for Wake Forest last season, Spear started all 25 games, averaging 10.9 points a contest. She hit an incredible 40 percent of her shots behind the arc.
"It was an amazing first year," Spear said. "There were a lot of ups and downs. I started a little slow and really focused on defense. I knew the offense would come. As the year went along, I worked on my offense and what I could do as a player.
"My coaches and teammates continuously put me in a position to succeed, so I'm thankful for that. I knew it would be a big step from high school to college, but I was happy with the work I put in, and it finally showed out."
She posted a career-high 29 points in the second round of the ACC Tournament against North Carolina, tying an ACC Tournament record by sinking seven 3-pointers in the all-important win to advance.
"That was surreal," she said. "It was my first game in the ACC Tournament and it was in Greensboro. My family was there. My parents were there and my brother. It was a family atmosphere and I was on fire. My teammates were finding me. Once those first couple of threes went it became a heat-check moment.
"I actually rewatched the game with my cousin. Wow, that actually happened. I know it was a big game for us to get into the NCAA Tournament, and I'm really competitive. I really wanted to get there, because it was in Texas, where I'm from. It was yet another blessing, and I want to thank my coaches and teammates for believing in me."
Spear hit six three and scored 22 against the Tar Heels during the regular season, so two of her best games came against UNC.
"My family are Tar Heel fans," Spear said. "When we play against them, they're for Wake, but I grew up a Tar Heel fan — really for the men's side with coach Roy Williams. I don't have a vendetta against them, but I guess I just play really well against them."
The Demon Deacons earned an at-large NCAA Tournament selection and traveled to San Antonio, losing in the first round to Oklahoma State.
"Going home to Texas was really special," Spear said. "I had a lot of friends and family members who were able to come. We didn't win the first round, but it was still a great experience. I've always wanted to be able to play in the NCAA Tournament, so getting there was incredible. Even though it was a Covid season, it was still exciting. It was a great first experience, but I don't expect it to be the last."
Wake lost its top two scorers from the 2020-21 season in Ivana Raca and Gina Conti, but Spear expects continued championship-level performance from the Deacs.
"Those are two big losses for sure, but it's the next person up," she said. "I know I'll have to play a bigger role next season and be a leader on the team. I'm competitive, and yes those two players mean a lot, but we have other players who can contribute as well. People might not expect us to do good next year, but I feel like we could do the same if not better. I'm excited for that journey with my teammates and coaches.
"This summer I'm just going to keep working on getting better. Some people think I'm just a shooter. I'm not going to be just a shooter, I'm going to be able to drive and display other things in my game. I might be circled and not scoring 20 points like I'd prefer, but as long as we get the win, I'm fine with that."
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