Spencer Dinwiddie has been a great example of what it means to move from the scrapheap to the top. The point guard has succeeded in fighting his way to stardom; thus making a name for himself in the NBA. He is currently playing the role of a point guard for the Brooklyn Nets of the NBA and there is definitely more to know about him outside the basketball court. From details of his career to other facts of his life, below are the things to know about the American professional basketballer.
Spencer Dinwiddie Biography
The basketball star was born to Malcolm Dinwiddie and Stephanie Dinwiddie on April 6, 1993. He grew up along with his brother Taylor in Los Angeles, California. Dinwiddie attended William Howard Taft High School in Woodland Hills and also graduated from the University of Colorado.
Starting his basketball career in Taft high, Spencer was one of the most outstanding players of his peers. At the end of his high school career, he got a three-star rating from Rivals.com. He played college basketball with the Colorado Buffaloes from 2011 to 2014. While he was there, he led the Buffaloes to advance to the finals of the NCAA Men’ Basketball Tournament two times and consecutively. He also helped the team to win the Charleston Classic trophy in 2012. Dinwiddie had to forgo his senior year so he could avail himself for the 2014 NBA draft.
Drafted by the Detroit Pistons, Dinwiddie has played both in NBA G League and the NBA Pro League. He shared his playing time between Detroit Pistons and their G League affiliate Grand Rapids Drive from 2014 to 2016. Spencer Dinwiddie also played for the Windy City Bulls of the G League before joining the Brooklyn Nets in 2016. He won the NBA All-Star weekend in February 2018 and has been in top form for the Nets. Learn more about him in these interesting facts below.
Facts To Know About The NBA Star
1. He Was Once California Mr. Basketball
Spencer attended Willam Howard Taft High School in Woodland Hills. While he was there, he distinguished himself as one of the best stand out athletes in the school history since Jordan Farmar. He was active in almost every sport and played the role of a point guard for the school’s basketball team.
Dinwiddie received accolades for his efforts, thereby becoming California Mr. Basketball as well as John R. Wooden California High School Player of the Year Award winner. At this level, Spencer proved himself as a guy with great balling skills and full of potentials.
2. Spencer Suffered a Career-threatening ACL Injury During His College Career
At the end of his high school career, Spencer Dinwiddie enrolled at the University of Colorado where he continued playing basketball at the collegiate level. Playing for the Colorado basketball team, Spencer had an impressive freshman season, averaging 10.0 points and 3.6 rebounds per game.
He stepped up his game in his sophomore year, gearing towards becoming the best shooting guard of his team. However, his Junior season was cut short due to an injury he sustained. He had a career-threatening anterior cruciate ligament injury which caused him to miss out of action for most of his junior year.
3. He Recorded His Breakout Season in 2017
After his stint with Detriot Pistons, no one would have expected Spencer to be great at his game. He had gotten used to being passed over and never had good playing time. Interestingly, during the 2017/18 regular season, Spencer Dinwiddie started the season on the bench for the Brooklyn Nets. Following the absence of D’Angelo Russell and Jeremy Lin, Spencer bounced back and was able to record his breakout season.
After starting a few games from the bench, Spencer became a permanent starter for the Nets. He started averaging 4.2 rebounds, 8.2 assists, and 17 points every 36 minutes and by the end of the season, he averaged 12 points, 6.6 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game. His brilliant performances have kept the Nets highly competitive in the league.
4. Spencer Dinwiddie Won The 2018 NBA Skills Challenge
Following his break out season in 2017, Spencer Dinwiddie participated in the NBA All-Star weekend that took place in February 2018. The fast-rising star made a lasting impression after he became the winner of the skills challenge trophy. He was indeed the least known participant in the competition which starred other stars such as Andre Drummond, Al Horford, Lou Williams, and Jamal Murray, among others. Spencer defeated the Chicago Bulls star Lauri Markkanen to win the Skills Challenge trophy.
5. He’s The 14th Highest Paid Nets’ Player in 2018
Spencer Dinwiddie has been successful as a shooting guard and has made huge wealth for himself. Prior to his breakout season, the star earns $1.524,305 from salary. Following his brilliant performance in the 2017 season, his annual salary climbed to $1,656,092, making him the 14th highest paid player of the Nets and 151st highest paid guard in 2018. In addition, he ranks as the 358th highest paid NBA player of the year.,
