Former NBA player and Bakersfield College alumnus Andre Spencer never thought about being an NBA player growing up, but once he got here at BC he realized that it was a possibility for him.
“Growing up I wanted to be an astronaut,” Spencer said. “As a kid I use to watch exploration programs. I enjoyed the thought of doing and seeing different places. It provided an outlet from the city life, and I never really thought about being a basketball player until I got here,. Basketball became that outlet for me to tour the world. It wasn’t space but not a bad second job.”
Spencer explained what it meant to be honored with his jersey being framed and receiving a framed newspaper article of when he used to play here at BC.
“It’s always a gracious feeling when people acknowledge you and for them to bring me back and acknowledge my years here at Bakersfield College, I really appreciate it,” he said.
“Anytime someone does this for you, it’s a great honor to be bestowed on you.”
They honored him during halftime of the BC men’s basketball game on Nov. 23. Spencer played forward at BC from 1982-84, and from there he went onto to play at Northern Arizona University from 1984-86.
In his first year at Arizona, he averaged nine points and four rebounds a game. In his senior year there, his numbers drastically went up and he averaged 19 points and six rebounds.
He did not get drafted by an NBA team but finally got his break in 1992 when the Atlanta Hawks signed him, and he became the first Renegade to make the NBA.
He would go on to play for the Indiana Pacers, Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings from ’92-’94.
He averaged seven points and three rebounds per game. He continued to play for different teams around the world until 2002 when he retired.
Spencer commented on his time at BC.
“I had a great time here,” he said. “Whether it was the football games or living in the dorms, and we lived on campus so everything was self-contained here for us. I just remember having good years here with coach Kravie and my teammates because they really enhanced my life and took me to another level. They helped me to dream even bigger once I got here at BC.”
He commented on being coached by Kravie.
“Coach Kravie, he’s a great man,” he said. “He taught me about life and about basketball. He used to tell me if I want to do something, I could do it. He instilled a lot of confidence in me. He’s a big influence in my life.”
He commented on what it takes for a basketball player to make it to the NBA.
“You have to have goals and dreams, and you make sure that you’re striving toward those goals every day,” he said.
“If you’re not, then that means when you wake up the next day you have to work twice as hard because determination, dedication and hard work is going to take you everywhere.
“I think if they can continue to work hard and have a little determination in their mental and physical toughness, then I think they can do anything they want.”