Prospect Spotlight: Jalen Speer (2020)
This rising sophomore has a chance to be the best shooter on the Blue Wave’s roster in 2017.
Speer is coming off a freshman campaign where people noticed his three-point range more than once. In a recent summer league game in Gainesville, he knocked down five treys as a part of his 29-point performance against Columbia High—not to mention a game-winning triple with four ticks to go in double-overtime.
While he can fill up a stat-sheet, Speer wants to grow in skills past that point.
“I feel like I can be more consistent this season with being a leader of the team,” Speer said.
The last time I saw him play was in February—a regional final game against Jacksonville-Providence. He hit some shot, but struggled as a whole.
Four months later, his left-hand dribbling has improved and he has more control of the ball when in his hands. He doesn’t turn the ball over when dribbling through traffic. Speer finishes in-transition with the best of them, keeps his head up the entire way, down-court. Whether off-the-dribble or off-the-catch, the jumper is on-target.
From a defensive perspective, you love when a guy can have active hands in the passing lanes, on-the-ball, and doesn’t commit fouls. With the clock running low, Speer has the poise to poke at the rock and force steals.
Speer said he’s been working on defense, all-summer. But in order to be one of the best in Florida, Speer recognizes where he needs to elevate. By the time October rolls, it’ll be exciting to see the growth.