Zags Looking to Add Athleticism in 2012: Skylar Spencer Emerges as Target

After focusing on improving the backcourt with the 2011 recruiting class, it has become clear that the Gonzaga coaching staff is turning its attention to developing more athleticism and size in the frontcourt and on the wing. One of the recruits that has become a clear target for the coaching staff is Skylar Spencer, who plays at Price High School in Southern California.

The interest in Spencer has been steady since the end of his sophomore year,as Coach Donny Daniels has used his ties to Southern California to serve as the primary coach recruiting Spencer from Gonzaga:

"I started hearing from them (Gonzaga) around this time last year," explained the Price High School star. "It was right around the end of the year during 10^th grade. Most of the time, I have been talking to Coach Daniels."

It's not surprising that Coach Daniels has made recruiting Southern California a priority, as it has has been nearly four years since the Zags signed Austin Daye out of Woodbridge High School in Irvine. As was the case for Daye, distance from home will not be an issue for Spencer, as he is open to finding the best fit for his game.

"I'm open to wherever is the best fit," Spencer said of distance being part of his decision. "I like Gonzaga, so I plan on taking a visit up there and checking it out. So distance doesn't matter that much."

Spencer has already had the opportunity to take unofficial visits to local schools like UCLA and USC. However, he is hoping to make a trip to Spokane this summer to see Gonzaga in person, which should fit with his time-line of a late summer commitment.

"I have talked a little bit about going to the (Elite) camp, but we haven't setup an official time to visit." (editor's note. The Gonzaga Elite Camp is typically the same weekend as Hoopfest, which is June 25 &26 this year) Spencer explained. "If everything goes right, I'd commit around early September."

The highly-coveted recruit will spend the AAU season playing for Team Jennings and participating in numerous elite summer tournaments. While he is already receiving interest from the majority of the PAC-12, as well as Gonzaga and Marquette, Spencer is high on the Zags because of the style of play and relationship he has built with Coach Daniels.

"I like their (Gonzaga) playing style and I like how they feed the ball to the post; obviously because I am a post player" Spencer explained about his interest in Gonzaga. "I just like how they play overall. With Coach Daniels, he always just gives me a warm welcome and I Iike him a lot.