SAMANTHA AND ONE
Tristan Spurlock
University Of Iowa
Know More About Tristan Spurlock
Tristan played at the University of Virginia and the University of Central Florida. He has NBA Experience and seven years of overseas professional basketball and he is now a basketball trainer at court 45.
Tristan Spurlock, a towering 6'8" basketball player, intriguingly refrains from the post due to his early training as a guard. Growing up, his father, who stood at 6 feet, doubted his height would drastically increase, thus trained him as a point guard. Even as a 5’10” sixth grader, Tristan continued honing his guard skills, an attribute considered large for his age but not colossal. His height incrementally surged through middle school, reaching about 6’4”, and by his freshman year of high school, he had sprouted to 6’7”. His gradual growth process allowed him to continue fostering his guard skills and, while he transitioned further from the point guard position, he now comfortably plays 2-3, and occasionally at position four. This story underscores his adaptability and dedication to overcoming any potential challenges associated with his unique position journey.
In reflecting on his high school and college years, Tristan Spurlock expressed that his understanding of hard work and diligence could have been much stronger. Though he initially perceived himself as industrious, he realized in retrospect that his efforts could have been more intensified and efficient. For instance, what he once thought was sufficient practice — making 100 shots daily and playing pick up for two hours — was dwarfed when he reached college, where he'd make 1000 shots a day and complement playing pick-up with weightlifting and independent shooting. His evolving understanding of effort and commitment highlights the continual learning and self-improvement that mark his journey in basketball.
Tristan Spurlock has had an enriching basketball journey overseas, with two places standing out as his favorites — Hungary and Mexico. His tenure in Hungary was especially memorable as it marked the beginning of his professional career. As a rookie, he dazzled in the All-Star game as the lead scorer and champion of the Dunk contest, and he furthered his success by reaching the finals. Later in his career, he triumphed in Mexico by clinching the championship, an accomplishment that became doubly memorable because he welcomed his son into the world just two days later. These two experiences, representing both the start and a later peak of his professional journey, hold a cherished place in Tristan's heart.