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Sixers 2008 Draft Center

Draft Prospect: Marreese Speights

Height: 6' 10"
Weight: 245 lbs
Age: 20
Position: Forward
Hometown: St. Petersburg, FL
High School: Hargrave Military Academy, Chatham, VA
College: Florida
Year: Sophomore
Draft Prospect Video

2007-08 Stats

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14.58.10.91.40.4.624.692.00024.3

Career

Not even a year removed from back-to-back National Championships, Marreese Speights stepped up and took command of the Gators, helping them advance to a 24-12, 8-8 record, which marked the program’s 10th straight 20-win season. After learning from Al Horford and Joakim Noah his freshman season, Speights returned for his sophomore campaign to rank first on the team in field-goal percentage (.624), first in total rebounds (8.1), first in offensive rebounds (2.6), first in defensive rebounds (5.5), first in blocks (1.4) and second in scoring (14.5).

Speights was an integral presence inside the paint for the Gators this season. In the NIT semifinal matchup with Umass, he posted 16 points, on 7-of-14 shooting, while pulling down a career-high 18 rebounds. Rounding out Florida’s non-conference schedule, Speights tallied a career-high 24 points, on 10-of-14 shooting, while grabbing 15 boards in an 88-70 home victory against High Point on January 2. Speights collected three straight 20-point games, from March 1-9 in conference play, while also tallying 25 total rebounds and five total blocks in that span.

During the 2007-08 season, Speights garnered 31 games in double figures, nine outings with 20 or more points and a team-leading 10 double-doubles. He also ranks eighth on Florida’s all-time list with 0.93 blocks per game.

Awards

MVP at the Orange Bowl Classic
Top 15 Power Forward out of Hargrave Military Academy

Strengths

Speights has been provided with a huge wingspan, which has caused him to be so successful on the defensive end. He is a superb rebounder and shot-blocker. Speights has been gifted with great hands, which allow him to work on the block on both ends of the hardwood. (NBA.com)

Speights is a physical, athletic big man who is remarkably quick for his size. He can score in the paint by using a variety of moves in the low-post. (ESPN.com)

This feature is intended for reference only and in no way reflects the ideas or opinions of the Sixers players, coaching staff, scouts or front office.