STARKVILLE — Mississippi State freshman guard Quinndary Weatherspoon is no stranger to playing under the radar.
Although he was the second best player in the state of Mississippi last year playing at Velma Jackson High School, he was overshadowed by Malik Newman, a five-star recruit, who garnered all the attention playing at Callaway High School in Jackson.
But Weatherspoon made headlines, too. From his sophomore year to his senior year, Weatherspoon led Velma Jackson to three-straight Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 3A State championships. Last season, he averaged 19.1 points, 3.9 assists, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.8 steals per game.
This season, he’s out to prove he can perform at the same level as a Bulldog.
“I like playing under the radar because teams won’t really know what I’m capable of doing,” said Weatherspoon, who will kick off the 2015-16 regular season Nov. 13 with a home game against Eastern Washington. “I’ll probably get on the radar as the season continues.”
Weatherspoon scored 28 points, grabbed six rebounds, handed out eight assists, and had six steals in a 76-38 victory against Aberdeen in the Class 3A state title game. His performance earned him MVP honors.
The four-star recruit said he was excited by the opportunity to play with Newman in college after playing against him several times in high school. But Weatherspoon admitted his body wasn’t where it needed to be in June when he arrived at MSU. After the first day of workouts, he knew this was nothing like high school basketball.
But after putting on 10 pounds of muscle, Weatherspoon began to feel and to look more like a Southeastern Conference men’s basketball player.
“I knew I had to get stronger because I knew I was skinny,” Weatherspoon said. “I’m going to be guarding seniors, and they’ve been here four years on the weight program, and I knew I needed to do that.”
Weatherspoon also needed to work on his shooting to improve his chances of seeing quality minutes at shooting guard. MSU first-year head coach Ben Howland said Weatherspoon has worked tirelessly to improve his shot and his skills.
“He’s made excellent improvement since he got here June 4,” Howland said. “He’s shot mechanics have really improved. He has a great feel for the game as a freshman and good passing skills. I think he has a really bright future.”
Weatherspoon’s teammates also have seen a drastic change in his game. Newman said Weatherspoon started slowly, but he said he has gotten to the place they believed he could reach.
Senior guard Craig Sword, the team’s leading scorer the past three seasons, is surprised by Weatherspoon’s athleticism.
“He kind of reminded me of myself,” Sword said. “He attacks and is very physical.”
Newman more than likely will start at point guard, while Sword will play the No. 2 guard, but Weatherspoon will get his opportunities. He also is excited about being on the court with Newman.
Newman, Weatherspoon, and freshman Joseph Strugg played on the Jackson Tigers, a Nike Elite Youth Basketball League team, last summer.
“I know it’s going to be fun because the chemistry we had from last summer when we played EYBL together,” Weatherspoon said. “I’m looking forward to it.
“Malik can penetrate the gaps, I’m going to space out and he can hit me for shots.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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