Duquesne gets verbal commitment from prep school point guard Primo Spears

Jerry DiPaola
Friday, March 26, 2021 3:36 p.m. | Friday, March 26, 2021 3:36 p.m.

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Nate Smalwood

Duquesneճ Head Coach Keith Dambrot during their game against Richmond at PPG Paints Arena on Friday, March 6, 2020.

Duquesne added a second commitment to its class of 2021 on Friday when point guard Primo Spears told coach Keith Dambrot he plans to enroll this year.

110% Committed ?❤️ pic.twitter.com/ItjWPQrrl0

— PrimSpears3 (@primo_spears) March 26, 2021

Spears, 6-foot-2, 188 pounds, played this season at Mt. Zion Prep School in Lanham, Md., where he averaged 21 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Mt. Zion (24-7) plays a national schedule that was scaled down geographically this season due to the pandemic, according to coach Rod Harrison.

“He definitely has high-major (college) qualities,” Harrison said. “He has leadership qualities and understands how to win. He is one of those kids who can lead by example and also be a vocal leader.”

Harrison, who also coached New York Knicks rookie Obi Toppin at Mt. Zion, said Spears has attracted interest – but no current offers — from Kansas, Georgia Tech and Maryland.

Recruiting a point guard this offseason is important for Dambrot because it will allow senior Tavian Dunn-Martin, who is returning next season, to move back to his natural position as a shooting guard.

Spears, a Connecticut native, played point guard and shooting guard at Mt. Zion.

“It wasn’t tough for me to gel with coach Rod as a coach because he’s a real gritty coach, just as I am as a player,” Spears told prephoops.com. “Adjusting to him off the floor wasn’t as hard with him as I thought it would be, but definitely the system was tough. There isn’t much freelancing like in public school. You actually learn how to play as a guard.”

On the same day that Spears verbally committed to Duquesne, senior center Michael Hughes announced his plans to turn pro.

Hughes, one of the best shot blockers in Duquesne history, had the option to return for next season after the NCAA ruled the covid-shortened 2020-2021 season won’t count against a player’s eligibility.

Forever & Always ? pic.twitter.com/dw2iHAM5kU

— Mike Hughes (@mike_hughes21) March 26, 2021

Dambrot previously received a verbal commitment from Ohio guard Andy Barba.