The Spencer Wilson Story: “The Game of Life- Count Your Blessings”

Spencer Wilson is a freshman PG playing JV basketball for High Point Wesleyan in High Point, North Carolina. He stands 5’7 and 115 pounds and is having a sensational season. Spencer is averaging 16.5 PPG and 7 APG for the 10-4 High Point Wesleyan squad. Spencer is a fundamentally sound PG with exceptional court vision and passing skills, but is also one of the better pure shooters in the state as a freshman. In one game this season, Spencer knocked down seven 3 pointers and has connected on six 3 pointers in three other games. (Be sure to check out our You Tube video of Spencer:

While being a strong competitor on the court, it has been his life battles off the court that is most impressive and the Phenom Hoop Report wanted to share his story with you.

You can also read more on Spencer at the following site: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/spencerwilson 

In our November 8^th, 2010 issue of the Phenom Hoop Report, we wrote the following:

Back in August, I received a phone call from a gentleman by the name of Billy Wilson. He called and wanted to know if his son Spencer could work out with my son Tyler. He stated Spencer really looked up to Tyler and enjoyed many of his mix tapes and patterned his game after him.  He stated Spencer was in remission of a rare form of cancer called Ewing’s Sarcoma. I took Spencer’s cell phone number and gave it to Tyler. I thought it would be a good idea if Tyler would call and reach out to Spencer. The next Saturday, Tyler and Spencer spent two hours working out at Forsyth Country Day doing various ball handling and shooting drills. Afterwards, Mr. Wilson took the boys out to Chick- Fil- A for lunch. Later that night, Tyler came home and stated, “Dad, this Spencer kid can really play. He has great ball handling skills and is a lights out shooter.” On Sunday night, Mr. Wilson called to thank Tyler for reaching out to Spencer and how much it meant to him.

The next day, I received a phone call from Mr. Wilson and he stated Spencer had a body scan on Friday and the doctors had called with bad news. He stated the body scan had revealed several tumors located throughout Spencer’s body and one large tumor in Spencer’s groin area. I immediately felt sick and tremendous disappointment in the news, but words cannot describe the feelings when Mr. Wilson stated, “Rick, please pray for Spencer, I don’t want to lose my son.” With his voice trembling, I immediately broke down in tears. I was stunned and couldn’t find any words to say, mostly because I was too emotional to speak. This one comment changed my life forever!

That being said, Mr. Wilson stated Spencer wanted to live a normal life and wanted to do the things he enjoyed and one of those things he loved and enjoyed most was playing basketball. I invited Spencer down to our Drills and Skills Camp on Saturday and Sunday and one weekend, Spencer and his dad were the first ones there. At our Drills and Skills Camp, it lasted two and a half hours and we do a series of four 30 minute stations. The camp is not easy and I really didn’t know how Spencer would do. That being said, not only was Spencer’s skills evident, but he was one of the hardest working players at the camp and each station coach afterwards complimented this young man on his hard work and effort. No one in the gym knew of Spencer’s condition except for his family and I. I kept thinking, “Here is a young man fighting for his life and not only shows up to participate in a drills and skills camp, but he is one of the hardest working kids there!” Now this should be a life lesson for everyone!

In the next several weeks, the biopsies came back and the results were not good. The tumor in his groin was cancerous and he also had small tumors in his lymph glands. After removing the cancerous tumor from his groin, Spencer was eager to get back on the basketball court and his dad said he was in the driveway shooting hoops from a wheelchair the very next day.  Coming up was our Phenom 150 Camp October 16-17^th and I told his dad I would reserve a spot for Spencer if he was willing and able. At the time, I really didn’t know if Spencer would or could make the camp, but on Saturday morning of the 16^th, Spencer showed up to play. Playing in the middle school division, Spencer showcased his dazzling ball handling and passing ability, and the young lefty sported a beautiful shooting stroke from the outside. He immediately became a favorite of the many parents and coaches in the gym. Without a doubt, this young man is truly gifted and his basketball IQ and court vision were beyond his years. As the day went on, Spencer became tired, especially since he had started his chemotherapy the week prior, but Spencer’s love for the game gave him enough adrenaline and strength to play, along with a big time assist from God.

A few weeks went by and Spencer was able to attend session II of the Phenom 150 camp, but this time he was playing up with 9-12 graders and again his performance was outstanding and his ball handling and passing thrilled the crowd and players alike. It was no question that the young Spencer was in his element and while playing, he always seemed to have a smile on his face. Speaking with the his father, he mentioned they would be hosting a benefit fundraising game for Spencer at High Point Wesleyan High School between the Wilson Warriors and the Harlem Rockets on Saturday, November 6^th. I arrived at the gym finding standing room only packed into the gym. Earlier in the week, Spencer struggled with his strength and only a few days before, Spencer had difficulty even walking up a flight of stairs. His mother Jody prayed that Spencer would have enough strength just to make it up and down the floor for a few trips, just to say he played in his benefit game.

The game started with much anticipation, but it didn’t take long before Spencer showcased a soft shooting stroke from the outside as the young man knocked down, now get this four straight 3 pointers in the first half. Spencer added another jumper and finished with 14 first half points. In the second half, Spencer went from a shooter to a facilitator on the court by making no look passes and looking up the court for his open teammates. While Spencer knocked down another three 3 pointers, but it was his offhand floater through the lane that was special. Spencer finished with 25 points and countless assists, but the biggest assist all night was from God. You see, Spencer didn’t have the strength the day before, but not only found a way to play, but was the star player of the game. After the game, over 1,000 fans stood to their feet to give this courageous young man a standing ovation. Afterwards, everyone in the stands circled around Spencer grabbing and holding on to the person next to them as his parents gave thanks to all that attended. Then everyone closed their eyes as hundreds of people stood in unison as they prayed for his brave young man.  (See attached photo) I made a tweet the night before that I must have had more tears than he had points and he scored a lot. Without a doubt, this was one of the most humbling experiences I have ever witnessed! Spencer continued playing basketball for the Ferndale Middle School team where he was the starting PG. Although Spencer played with nausea and radiation burns during the season, he not only played but was one of the best players on the court. After the season, the school retired his number 20 jersey.

After the fundraiser at High Point Wesleyan, Spencer would face more uncertainty. He was going through five weeks of chemotherapy and radiation and would travel to the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland for a cancer vaccine. He would spend the next 20 weeks traveling back and forth from Bethesda, Md.  and High Point, N.C.  Each week, he would be in the hospital for 3-5 days taking an experimental cancer vaccine and immunotherapy. During this time, Spencer continued playing for the Triad Titans AAU team.

On June 14, 2011, the doctors declared him in remission. Since then, Spencer goes through full body scans every six months and today his cancer is still in remission.

In speaking with Mrs. Wilson, she stated “every time Spencer is on the court, we count our blessing. The basketball court has given Spencer a powerful testimony of God’s healing touch and His love and mercy.” Our quote of the day is also Spencer’s favorite Bible verse from Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me and without question, Spencer was strengthened by prayers and his belief and faith in God. Spencer has faced more adversity in the past three years than many of us may face in a lifetime. He has been a pillar of strength and bravery and that is what makes this young man so special. With Spencer Wilson, each day is a blessing and while many parents are counting points in the game of basketball, the Wilson family is counting their blessings each and every day in the game of life.

Favorite college basketball team: NC State

Favorite NBA Team: LA Clippers

Favorite College Player: Pistol Pete

Favorite NBA Player: Chris Paul

Goals and aspirations: Spencer wants to play collegiate basketball and then become a coach one day

Donations can be made to the High Point Bank and Trust c/o Spencer Daniel Wilson Fund