Jeff Greer
August 18, 2015
Few people will know what U of L freshman and Louisville native Ray Spalding is experiencing this upcoming season better than Quentin Snider.
Snider, a sophomore who is also a Louisville native, came to U of L, his hometown college, as a highly rated prospect out of high school, just like Spalding.
They were both four-star, top-50 prospects as preps, and they both arrived at Louisville with high expectations from fans who followed them during their high school careers.
Snider was Kentucky's Mr. Basketball as a senior and set career records at Ballard High in both points and assists. He was an all-state selection as a junior, too, when his team reached the state title game but lost.
Spalding was a two-time all-state selection from Trinity High and led his team to a No. 1 ranking in The Courier-Journal.
So, what advice does Snider have for Spalding as the 6-foot-10 big man embarks on his college career?
"I just tell him, when we play the Red-White (scrimmage), whatever you do, don't do what I did last year in my first game," Snider said, cracking a smile. He struggled immensely in that game, his debut in a Cards uniform, making just 3 of 11 from the field and committing five turnovers.
"Just come out there, relax and let the game come to you," Snider said. "I was forcing too much. I told him, 'Don't force too much because you're a freshman. Make sure the defense is the most important thing at this program.' Once you understand the defense, you'll be good. The offense will come."
August 18, 2015
Few people will know what U of L freshman and Louisville native Ray Spalding is experiencing this upcoming season better than Quentin Snider.
Snider, a sophomore who is also a Louisville native, came to U of L, his hometown college, as a highly rated prospect out of high school, just like Spalding.
They were both four-star, top-50 prospects as preps, and they both arrived at Louisville with high expectations from fans who followed them during their high school careers.
Snider was Kentucky's Mr. Basketball as a senior and set career records at Ballard High in both points and assists. He was an all-state selection as a junior, too, when his team reached the state title game but lost.
Spalding was a two-time all-state selection from Trinity High and led his team to a No. 1 ranking in The Courier-Journal.
So, what advice does Snider have for Spalding as the 6-foot-10 big man embarks on his college career?
"I just tell him, when we play the Red-White (scrimmage), whatever you do, don't do what I did last year in my first game," Snider said, cracking a smile. He struggled immensely in that game, his debut in a Cards uniform, making just 3 of 11 from the field and committing five turnovers.
"Just come out there, relax and let the game come to you," Snider said. "I was forcing too much. I told him, 'Don't force too much because you're a freshman. Make sure the defense is the most important thing at this program.' Once you understand the defense, you'll be good. The offense will come."
