Jewel Spear: BET ON YOURSELF

Many people hope to have a freshman season that Wake Forest Freshman Jewel Spear had. She received All-Acc Freshman & All-Acc Tournament Team Honors, shortly after, she received an invite to play for a gold medal with the U19 Women's USA Basketball Team. I spoke with her about being somewhat overlooked coming out of high school and her goals next year for her sophomore season at Wake Forest.

Pic Cred: USA Basketball

Olympic Gold Medalist how does it feel ?

"It feels amazing. You always dream of representing your country and to actually achieve it is definitely a dream come true. Its so rare to make the USA team because they only pick 12 out of so many top players in the entire country. I really have to thank my support system from my family, coaches, and trainers because without them none of this possible."

86th in the country coming out of high school to an elite freshman campaign ?

" Respectfully, I knew I shouldn't be ranked 86th in the country. But I never really got caught up into that because I knew in college that means nothing, you have to start over and make a name for yourself again and leave that in the past. To younger kids fall in love with the game and control what you can control. Yes, it's nice to get recognized but just grind and stay humble and you'll see who's really who on the court. And always BET ON YOURSELF"

Pic Cred: USA Basketball

What was the USA experience like ?

"I never experienced anything like it. The relationships you make with your coaches, USA staff and teammates is like a real family and just the memories. It was so great. Training camp is where we built our bond as a team and really started to gel on and off the court. Traveling to Spain, was my first time being out the country. I got to try new foods, speak some Spanish, and we also got to go on tours and learned a lot about Spain. Overall I wouldn't trade this experience for anything else. These memories will be with me forever."

Pic Cred: Wake Forest WBB

After an amazing Freshman Year Year What Goals Do Have For Your Sophomore Season ?

" I honestly have a lot of goals for my sophomore year at wake. I take my goals really seriously and want them to challenge me. Our team is going to be very different from last year and my role is going to be even more significant this year which I expect and take full responsibility for.

-BE A LEADER

- MAKE ALL-ACC TEAM

-MAKE & WIN AT- LEAST ONE ROUND OF MARCH MADNESS

- SHOOT

• 42% from 3PT

• 52% from FG

• 86% from FT

- Avg 16 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST per game

- Finish Top 6 in Conference

Jewel Spear is a name that is going to continue to turn heads and make strides in women's college basketball. She's a self motivator and someone who is beating the odds that were once put against her.

Writer- Michael Simmons