Recruiting Report: Spencer Rolland (2018)
Six-foot-7 Apple Valley junior Spencer Rolland played some varsity a year ago but with Brock Bertram now at Buffalo, Spencer will have a much bigger role. Bertram gave the Eagles 13 points and 10 rebounds a game (four straight years…
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Continue ReadingSix-foot-7 Apple Valley junior Spencer Rolland played some varsity a year ago but with Brock Bertram now at Buffalo, Spencer will have a much bigger role.
Bertram gave the Eagles 13 points and 10 rebounds a game (four straight years averaging around a double-double) so playing time in the post wasn’t readily available but Rolland still played in 13 varsity games last year.
Now Rolland, along with Kevin Totusek, Aloung Kang, and Logan Wangerin, comprise the new Eagle frontcourt. It’s a committee but Rolland seems to be the odds on favorite to get the most touches and time.
Knowing that Spencer has put in a lot of work in preparation for this junior season.
“I’m preparing for the upcoming season by going to the gym and working on my shots and my post moves,” Rolland said. “I’m also starting on the varsity football team where I can retain my speed and strength for the court.”
The Eagles junior class is excellent. In addition to Rolland and Wangerin inside the team has one of the elite lead guards in the nation in Tre Jones plus returning starter Luke Martens, guard Ely Hendrickson, and scoring wing Nathan Macho. The talent is there so the goals are high.
“Some of my goals for the season are to be a leader for the upcoming juniors who haven’t yet experienced basketball at the varsity level,” Rolland said.
“Another one of my goals is to be able to play at a level where my team can succeed, if that means taking multiple charges during a game or simply just getting rebounds and going up strong, I will do whatever it takes to get us back to the State Tournament.”
A key factor is that Apple Valley, they will look different. Sure they still wear brown and gold, but Gary Trent Jr is at some random prep school now, Bertram is at Buffalo, and Cameron Kirksey plays for Minnesota State-Mankato.
“Our team is different this year because we have many new players playing at the varsity level. However, I feel that we will win multiple games because the vast majority of the players have been playing with each other since second grade.
“We’ve made a special bond and connection where we know what each other are doing on the court at any given moment.”
Many of these players competed on the Minnesota Eagles AAU team that has done so well the last two years. When Jones wasn’t playing his own games with Howard Pulley, you could often see him watching his teammates.
All of them will contribute but Rolland is likely the biggest inside piece. College programs are already in contact.
“For me, getting a great education is a major factor in my college options,” Spencer said. “Therefore I have been in contact with Carleton College for both football and basketball.
“Also, I have had consistent interest for football with Ivy League schools; Harvard, University of Penn, and Princeton. Other schools that have connected with me for basketball have been St. Cloud State, Augustana, and University of Sioux Falls.
“I have only visited Carleton for both basketball and football.”