Spurlock Continues Versatile Display Heading Into Summer

Ivan McDowell, Southeast/Mid-South Editor

May 29, 2008 - When you first take a look at Tristan Spurlock it is evident that he has the build and length to play the power forward spot on a high major level. A closer examination of Spurlock’s game however will illustrate his ever emergent versatility.

During the Bobby Hussey Memorial Day Classic; held in Music City—Nashville, Tennessee; Spurlock lent his considerable skills to an already loaded Boo Williams AAU squad. The Woodbridge, VA native frequently guarded more imposing opponents in the post, such as 6-foot-9, 275-pound Miami, FL commit Derrick Nix from The Family and 6-foot-7, 230-pound Xavier Henry from Athletes First, an Oklahoma travel team.

At 6-foot-7, 220-pounds, Tristan more than held his own despite giving up size in strength to both players. Where Spurlock continued his improvement was on the perimeter; displaying both handles when driving to the basket and a solid jumper out to the three-point line.

Woodbridge, VA's Tristan Spurlock is multi-faceted, providing offense and defense.

Maybe most impressively for Spurlock is his recognition of when his jumper isn’t falling, the necessity to take his opponent off the dribble to create more scoring opportunities for himself and/or his teammates. Early in the tournament his jumper was off, so Tristan made the most of his chance take the ball to the hole and scored consistently with strong finishes at the rim.

“My game is predicated on versatility,” said Spurlock, who presently attends Montrose Christian in Maryland.

“I can slash to the basket or shoot the jumper and at my size I think it’s important for me to be able to do both.”

Defensively, he has the quicks to guard smaller perimeter players; using his considerable length and frame to prevent most guards from blowing by and getting into the paint. Spurlock is a member of the 2009 class, so he still has his senior season to get stronger and refine many points of his multi-faceted game; responsibilities that are not lost on him.

“I feel like I want to sharpen the skills I already have and improve my quickness defensively. Instead of being good at the things I do, I want to be great at the things I do.”

Four-year institutions have been checking in on Spurlock for some time, but only five stand out at the this point in the recruiting game, according to Tristan.

“Georgetown, Virginia, UNC, Wake Forest and Clemson are the five I’m interested in the most right now”.

Both Clemson and Florida State have offered.