SMU signs F Cameron Spencer

[EastStang]

This kid should get a lot of playing time with power forward having a big void next year. We'll see pretty quickly if he's any good or has potential.

[BUS]

If he and Bamba jell, and all stay healthy this could be great.

[me@smu]

TexasHoops.com Recruiting Staff


Known as a relentless recruiter, SMU head coach Matt Doherty is sure to make his presence known in the state of Texas in upcoming years. He's off to a fast start as he's landed his first signee this spring signing period. Cameron Spencer might have been a relative unknown even within the Lone Star State borders, but the locals surely knew about the 6-foot-9, 255-pound post from Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School in Orange. But once Doherty and his staff got wind of Spencer, they worked quickly to get him in on a visit and get his signature on a letter-of-intent.


"I had a good visit up there last weekend," Spencer said. "It's a very nice campus and it's in a good area of Dallas, near downtown. I didn't know much about them (before visiting), but they have good coaches - a great coaching staff - and it's an up-and-coming program."

Spencer liked everything that he got to do and see while in University Park that he inked with the Mustangs the final week of the spring signing period, choosing them over interest from North Texas and practically all the schools in the Southland Conference. Typically when a brand new regime comes in, they have to play catch-up with many players who were previously recruited by the old staff. But SMU was able to make the connection with Spencer to land his signature.

"They had recruited me earlier in the year - the old coaching staff," Spencer said. "But my AAU coach knew the new coaching staff, so we started talking. They offered me at the end of last week and I just liked them the best."

In Spencer, SMU adds some much needed frontcourt depth, especially with the recent transfer of freshman Brian Morris from the program. He knows that the WAC will be a big step up from the level that LCMHS played at, but he's ready to work hard to get there.

"Basically, I've got to get in shape for one," Spencer said. "Then I need to work on my free throws and my jumper."

[RE Tycoon]

- and it's an up-and-coming program."

I can't wait until recruits stop saying this about us when they commit.

[Ponymon]

Obviously Texas Hoops doesn't know the difference between the WAC and Conference USA. They must be a little WACKY

[Hidden James]

Tar Heel, checking in.

Keep in mind that no one had heard of Raymond Felton when Coach Doherty starting recruiting him, either. He's a great judge of talent, if he's really excited about the kid (rather than just puffing up a "best available" kinda guy), then you should be, too. You'll know which by how often he singles him out when talking about the recruiting class.

He sounds like a Jawad Williams type to me. And remember, Doherty recruited football player David Noel as a walk-on, and he developed into our team leader and the key to our over-schieving (along with Hansborough) last year.

Also the lightly recruited big man Byron Sanders from LA was a key contributor his Senior year.

[PonyPride]

.... Doherty recruited football player David Noel as a walk-on, and he developed into our team leader and the key to our over-schieving (along with Hansborough) last year....

.... and into a first-round draft pick next month.

Thanks, Hidden James.

[LeeDee UNC]

Doherty finds basketball players. Even after losing our top seven NCAA championship players to the NBA draft and graduation - all but one a Doherty recruit - his remaining upperclassmen still managed to make it to the 2nd round of the NCAA tournament last season. Starter David Noel = former invited walkon, Starter Wes Miller = former invited walkon, Starter Reyshawn Terry = local player... plus a bunch of Roy Williams freshmen.

Give Doherty support and some time and if you encounter any players on campus suggest they seriously get in shape before practice starts.

[Hoop Fan]

i dont know what to make of this first signing. I'd say its about all I expected and all we could reasonably expect of him after being hired so late in the recruiting season. His 2007 class will be the real indicator of how he can recruit for SMU and how he will be received locally.

[MustangIcon]

I didn't expect much from this class either so I am pretty happy about getting a guy who is 6'9 250lbs that the coaches see as a good addition to the team.

I also find it encouraging that the AAU connections our staff has seemed to spark the signing of Spencer as indicated by him in the article:

"They had recruited me earlier in the year - the old coaching staff," Spencer said. "But my AAU coach knew the new coaching staff, so we started talking. They offered me at the end of last week and I just liked them the best."

Regarding the 2007 class, I find the William Eddie commit to be very encouraging. He is ranked top 22 overall and top 10 in his graduating class in michigan. Great start in my books. I am curious to see if MD will pursue Malone and Sloan or if he will decide to look elsewhere as we mutually did with Nyam.

[PonyPride]

The most encouraging things I see with Spencer's signing are Coach Doherty's track record of finding players -- even when they're not widely heralded -- and his insistence that he wouldn't sign anybody just to announce a signing. He was adamant about the fact that he only would sign a guy if he could really play. If he couldn't find any such players, he said several times that he would simply go with what he's got and save the scholarships for next year.

[BringBackThePonies03]

His ability to find players that fit his system is amazing, Spencer seems to be a good fit. He should see the floor a lot next year, SMU has some talented and with Doherty at the helm we could do some big things even as soon as next year. Willingham, Roberts, Spencer, and Fall, there is a lot of talent down on the hilltop.

[ponydawg]

hope fall makes his grades.......

[DickerJames]

he inked with the Mustangs the final week of the spring signing period, choosing them over interest from North Texas and practically all the schools in the Southland Conference.

I'd say this is one lucky kid considering his other options. Sure hope the luck runs both ways.

[Hoop Fan]

His ability to find players that fit his system is amazing, Spencer seems to be a good fit. He should see the floor a lot next year, SMU has some talented and with Doherty at the helm we could do some big things even as soon as next year. Willingham, Roberts, Spencer, and Fall, there is a lot of talent down on the hilltop.

you guys are penciling in Spencer for next year already? He will be a raw, raw freshman. Not sure why you are even putting him ahead of guys like Rack at this point.