Wake Forest Athletics
Deacon Sports Xtra: Spear and U19 USA Women’s Basketball Prepare for World Championships
8/2/2021 9:02:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Before traveling to Debrecen, Hungary for the 2??021 FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup, Jewel Spear and Team USA took part in training camp in Washington D.C.
After making her name known around the Atlantic Coast Conference and in college basketball, Wake Forest women's basketball guard Jewel Spear has taken her game to the international level.
Spear is set to represent Team USA next month at the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup in Debrecen, Hungary. The Colony, Texas native earned a spot on the team earlier this summer when she was one of the first nine players selected to the roster.
Making the team and representing the United States and representing her country at the international level was a goal and a realization of a dream for Spear.
"Representing the USA is amazing," Spear said. "It is more than yourself, so you have to give up some things for the bigger goal. I am just excited to be here with my teammates and my coaches, and I am glad to be pushed to the abilities in order to be the best that I can be."
She is no stranger to competing in USA Basketball competitions, taking part in the 2019 USA Basketball 3x3 U18 National Championship ahead of her freshman season with the Demon Deacons.
Spear proved to be one of the toughest ACC perimeter players to stop regardless of class during her rookie campaign. She became the first Wake Forest freshman since Ariel Stephenson in 2015-16 to average better than double figures scoring for the season. Spear ranked third on the team with 10.9 points per game.
The Colony, Texas native is the first Wake Forest player to be named to the All-Freshman Team since Alex Sharp in 2017.
Before heading over to Hungary for the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup, the 12-member squad is currently preparing in Washington, D.C. as a part of their training camp.
"Camp is going great," Spear said. "I've met a lot of new players and am very thankful to be here and represent the USA."
The team is set to compete in the 2021 FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup from Aug. 7-19.
After an impressive rookie campaign that culminated in a trip to the NCAA Tournament, Spear is looking to elevate her game before heading back to Winston-Salem for her second season at Wake Forest.
"Coach Cori (Close) and all the other coaches have pushed me so far," Spear said. "I am learning so much day by day. I am just proud to be here with my teammates and also growing as a player."
Spear played her best basketball when the lights were the brightest. En route to earning All-Tournament honors, she dropped a career-high 29 points in the victory over the Tar Heels, tying the highest mark by a Demon Deacon during the season while also being the second most points by a player in the 2021 ACC Tournament.
In the victory, Spear tied an ACC Tournament record, becoming the sixth player in the tournament's history to knock down seven threes in a single contest. For the game, she finished 7-of-10 from distance while shooting 66.7 percent overall from the field.
Spear will look to continue to raise her game as she helps Team USA chase a gold medal at the U19 World Championships in Hungary.
Spear is set to represent Team USA next month at the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup in Debrecen, Hungary. The Colony, Texas native earned a spot on the team earlier this summer when she was one of the first nine players selected to the roster.
Making the team and representing the United States and representing her country at the international level was a goal and a realization of a dream for Spear.
"Representing the USA is amazing," Spear said. "It is more than yourself, so you have to give up some things for the bigger goal. I am just excited to be here with my teammates and my coaches, and I am glad to be pushed to the abilities in order to be the best that I can be."
She is no stranger to competing in USA Basketball competitions, taking part in the 2019 USA Basketball 3x3 U18 National Championship ahead of her freshman season with the Demon Deacons.
Spear proved to be one of the toughest ACC perimeter players to stop regardless of class during her rookie campaign. She became the first Wake Forest freshman since Ariel Stephenson in 2015-16 to average better than double figures scoring for the season. Spear ranked third on the team with 10.9 points per game.
The Colony, Texas native is the first Wake Forest player to be named to the All-Freshman Team since Alex Sharp in 2017.
Before heading over to Hungary for the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup, the 12-member squad is currently preparing in Washington, D.C. as a part of their training camp.
"Camp is going great," Spear said. "I've met a lot of new players and am very thankful to be here and represent the USA."
The team is set to compete in the 2021 FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup from Aug. 7-19.
After an impressive rookie campaign that culminated in a trip to the NCAA Tournament, Spear is looking to elevate her game before heading back to Winston-Salem for her second season at Wake Forest.
"Coach Cori (Close) and all the other coaches have pushed me so far," Spear said. "I am learning so much day by day. I am just proud to be here with my teammates and also growing as a player."
Spear played her best basketball when the lights were the brightest. En route to earning All-Tournament honors, she dropped a career-high 29 points in the victory over the Tar Heels, tying the highest mark by a Demon Deacon during the season while also being the second most points by a player in the 2021 ACC Tournament.
In the victory, Spear tied an ACC Tournament record, becoming the sixth player in the tournament's history to knock down seven threes in a single contest. For the game, she finished 7-of-10 from distance while shooting 66.7 percent overall from the field.
Spear will look to continue to raise her game as she helps Team USA chase a gold medal at the U19 World Championships in Hungary.
Players Mentioned
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