Overview
- Spears publicly announced on Thursday that he has reclassified from the 2027 class to 2026 and will join the Texas Longhorns for the 2026-27 season.
- He is a unanimous five-star power forward listed around 6-foot-9 with elite EYBL production, averaging roughly 20.9 points and 8.7 rebounds, and he led Team USA to gold at the 2025 FIBA U16 AmeriCup.
- Spears chose Texas over offers from programs including Kentucky, Arizona, LSU and Arkansas, and his pledge lifted Texas into the top tier of 2026 recruiting classes in national rankings.
- Because he turned 17 this year, NBA age rules require Spears to spend two college seasons before draft entry, meaning he will not be eligible for the NBA draft until 2028.
- Family and local ties helped shape the decision: he grew up in Texas, his sister Cari plays volleyball at Texas, and coach Sean Miller sold a player-development plan that the Spears family cited as a key factor.