By ZACH SMART & SAM LANCE
As a proven scoring threat with a deft outside touch and a lob finishing presence, Class of 2026 guard DaKari Spear has bounced back from an injury which shelved him for some of the live period.
In his return, which featured an impressive showing at Peach Jam, Spear has discovered a newfound knack for attacking as a downhill finisher and a refined mid range game.
Being away from the game, as Spear described, allowed him to analyze and dissect areas in which he could increase his focus.
He’s come back with more of a thorough, all around repertoire and an emphasis on making plays on both sides of the floor.
The 6-foot-4 Spear, who has recently opted to transfer from The Colony (TX) to Dynamic Prep in Houston under former NBA All Star Jermaine O’Neal, is hearing from the likes of Syracuse, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, SMU, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech and several others.
Spear will bolster Dynamic’s backcourt and help cushion the void left by the since departed Jermaine O’Neal Jr. and Jaden Toombs, both of whom are now at SMU.
Spear is coming off a noteworthy performance on the EYBL circuit, as he averaged 16.8 points, 3.3 boards, 2.5 assists and 1.8 steals en route to taking home Second Team 17U All Circuit honors.
While at NBPA Top 100 Camp, Spear said he gained unique perspective from hearing Kyrie Irving speak about mental preparation, envisioning and applying game situations and time management.
Spear was instrumental in engineering the souped-up attack for Drive Nation, as he facilitated and knocked down shots and finished amid hard contact and traffic throughout the aforementioned Peach Jam.
The rising senior guard broke down his thoughts of several of the programs currently in active pursuit of him:
Oklahoma: “Just the way they attack recruiting stands out to me. I talk to coach Ryan (Humphrey). He’s been to most of my high school practices. He checks up on me. Calls. He was calling a lot while I was injured. Just to make sure I am alright, when I was going to play, what the timetable was for when I was going to return. He’s just always in touch. I like a coaching staff that just keeps up with me and checks my games out.”
Syracuse: “I have a really close bond with the coaches there. I have an official visit setup right now. I’m looking forward to seeing the environment out there, getting a feel for it myself. Whether it’s during a football game, basketball game, whatever the case may be. I’m looking forward to going out there and seeing what it’s really like. It will be my first time in New York. So, I’ll enjoy it.”
Texas Tech: “Same thing (with Syracuse), I have a good bond with the coaches. One of their assistants on staff (Kellen Buffington) is someone I have been close with before he even got there. When he used to run events down in Texas, tournaments and stuff like that. Being able to communicate with him and see what the environment is like out there. They say its crazy out there, so being able to experience that will be exciting.”
SMU: (Jermaine O’Neal Jr. and Jaden Toombs) already said that its just a good experience out there. Just being able to go experience what they’re experiencing right now, just seeing how they and see how they get stuff done whether its practice or games, it would be fun for sure.”
Vanderbilt: ” (Assistant) Coach (Rick) Ray, he’s showed me a lot of their facilities. Their new multi million dollar facilities, practice facilities. It looks real nice. He’s sent me specific examples of alumni like Darius Garland coming back to do recovery, get workouts in the gym. The facilities look nice.”
Texas A&M: “Its a new staff. Coach Frank (Haith), he called me immediately when he came in from (University of Texas). I’ve always had a close bond with him, even when he was at Texas. He’s telling me he can see how much my game has developed. He loves my game all around, whether its defensive side, offensive side, my IQ.”
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