'Super Sophomore': Spotlight on University of North Texas Guard Cherie Spencer
The VIP Crew: Hey Cherie, how is Texas treating you?
C. Spencer: Texas is treating me pretty well. I’ve had some fun out here and met a
lot of great people! So, I’ll say it’s not too bad (laughing).
The VIP Crew: You had a very productive freshman season, what were your biggest
takeaways from last year?
C. Spencer: I think mostly just learning how to be an effective point guard and overall floor general. I had so much to learn and I had Jazzy Owen-Barnett as a
great model to learn under. I also learned and still learning right now how to be
best at getting my teammates involved and knowing when it’s time for me to get a
bucket (laughing).
The VIP Crew: How beneficial was it for you to not only get valuable minutes in every
Game as a freshman, but also to start in 13 games?
C. Spencer: I think it was a blessing to be able to prove to my coaches that I
added value to the team to be able to start almost half of the season. I was
learning the pace of the game and getting more experience each and every game. while
playing great minutes.
The VIP Crew: Given what you guys lost, returned, and added, what are the
expectations for this upcoming season?
C. Spencer: We expect to win. I mean, of course, you don’t want to lose a good
chunk of your team, but we added some key and valuable pieces to the team that
make winning the expectation regardless.
The VIP Crew: What do you feel are key improvements that you needed to make in your
game heading into year two, as well as improvements the team could make overall?
C. Spencer: I think some improvements to my game is my change of pace and be
able to control the pace of the game however and whenever I want. Being under
control in the full court and getting to my spots on the floor when I please and
getting my teammates the right shots and the best shots available. As a team,
I think there is always something we’re looking to improve as a program so each
game we’re taking something away from in our film sessions to improve and it
varies from game to game. But the intent is to take those improvements and turn them into strengths.
The VIP Crew: How do you feel your game transitioned from prep to collegiate?
C. Spencer: I think my game has transitioned and translated well. I feel I matched
North Texas’ style of play as soon as I got here, but now it’s more about valuing
each possession and understanding what our team needs each possession, and
that could be we need a quick bucket, we need a three through a play, or we just
need to slow down the pace of the game and execute our play to get a valuable
shot.
The VIP Crew: You set some North Texas freshmen milestones, how much of a
confidence booster was it to have such a productive freshman season?
C. Spencer: I think it definitely gave me some confidence. It was something to fall
back on when I felt like I wasn’t performing my best. But nonetheless, it’s
important that I stay humble and grounded because what God gives, he can also
take, but just as a point guard and leader, they look to me to be as reliable as
possible and that means staying levelheaded, so I try my best to not let it blow
my head.
The VIP Crew: With the expectations heightened, what are some key elements to your
game that you have been working on?
C. Spencer: I’ve been sharpening my game to be more efficient from the field and
continue to be an effective leader on and off the floor.
The VIP Crew: Are you a goal setter and if so, have you set any personal goals for your
sophomore year?
C. Spencer: I’ve been more intentional about letting the season happen
based on what God has for me, because nothing in this life is planned or
contributed by me. So, I work hard each day and live each day God blesses me
with to the fullest and he will bless me. So, I take it day by day and give it my all
on the court, and what God has for me will come.
The VIP Crew: What if any has been the most challenging part of being a student
athlete at the collegiate level?
C. Spencer: I think the most challenging would be balancing it all sometimes. It
can be a bit of a heavy burden on your shoulders to be expected to perform at
your best not just on the court but in the classroom too. So, managing it all with
tight schedules and things like that.
The VIP Crew: What advice did you receiver as a freshman that you feel like can carry
you throughout your career?
C. Spencer: I remember Coach Brit [Britney Brown] told me during a long practice that I’m stronger than I think I am, which stuck with me because I truly am. God gives me
his strength every day to endure through trials and struggles, so I have nothing to
worry about. I have God on my side and great people surrounding me through my
family and friends, so I am beyond filled with strength.
The VIP Crew: As hard as you work on and off the court, one thing I love about following
you on social media, you haven’t forgotten to have fun. How important is it to have
created that balance?
C. Spencer: It’s so important, because you can get burnt out so easily if you don’t
have an outlet outside of an already demanding sport, so doing something with
your friends can lift so much weight off your shoulders.
The VIP Crew: The coaching staff obviously has tremendous belief in you and your
game given the amount of playing time you received last year, was their belief in you
a big part of you joining the Mean Green squad?
C. Spencer: I definitely believed I could’ve been valuable to the team, but talking
to the coaches really put into perspective how much they believed in me which
was great. Hearing that from coaches puts a little extra belief in your heart
knowing the people you’re playing for trust you.
The VIP Crew: Your twin brother, Tyrie, is now a college basketball player as well at Bishop State. Any specific advice you fed him from your experiences?
C. Spencer: I told him it’s a big year for him, to work at what he wants to
accomplish and that I’m just happy for him and excited for him to ball out!
Comments