Transfer forward commits to 49ers

Spooner (11 points, 8.1 rebounds) didn't play high school basketball
LEONARD LAYE
Staff Writer

Dedric Spooner, a 6-foot-8, 238-pound power forward, has committed to play basketball for the Charlotte 49ers, his junior college coach said Wednesday.

Spooner just completed his second season at Colby Community College (Kan.), averaging 11 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.4 blocked shots and shooting 51 percent.

He joins 6-11 center Martin Iti of Durham's Mount Zion Academy and 6-3 guard Marcus Bennett of Schoolcraft Junior College in Michigan, who both signed last fall, in a three-player Charlotte recruiting class.

"(Head coach) Bobby Lutz and (assistant coach) Rob Moxley recruited him the longest and the hardest and I think that made the difference for (Spooner)," Colby coach Brian Osterrman said. "He got a lot of calls. Cincinnati tried to get in later but he nixed them."

Osterrman said Spooner, from Milwaukee, attended Milford (Conn.) Prep but did not play high school basketball. He became a third-team All-Jayhawk West conference selection at Colby and was also named to the all-region tournament team this season.

Spooner cannot sign until the NCAA's spring recruiting period next month. Coaches are not allowed to make public comments about a recruit until he has signed.

Spooner's arrival would put the 49ers one player over the maximum number of scholarships allowed by the NCAA, if all current underclass members of the team return next season. It was unclear Wednesday how the numbers issue will be resolved.

 

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