Having the opportunity to represent your country in your respective sport is something that only a special few have the chance to do in their lifetime. For the son of one former Dallas Cowboys star, that opportunity came knocking on Tuesday.
Marcus Spears Jr., the son of former Cowboys defensive end Marcus Spears, has officially been named to the 2025 USA Basketball Men's U16 National Team that will aim to bring home a gold medal at the 2025 FIBA U16 Men’s AmeriCup from June 2-8 in Juárez, Mexico.
Following Tuesday's announcement, Spears took to social media to share how proud he was of his son for earning his spot on the roster. This will mark the first time in Spears Jr.'s basketball career that he will don the red, white, and blue to represent the United States of America, making the opportunity even more exciting for Marcus and his family.
For those who are unaware, Spears Jr. is considered to be one of the top prospects in the class of 2027. The 6'7" power forward is ranked as the fourth-best player in the country and the second-best power forward in his class, per 247Sports. While he isn't playing the same sport as his father, Cowboys fans know those genes have helped turn Spears Jr. into a star on the hardwood.
Spears Jr. isn't the only player on the US Men's U16 National Team with connections to Dallas, as he will be joined on the roster by the son of former Dallas Mavericks center Eric Dampier. Eric Dampier Jr. is a member of the class of 2028, so he has not been rated and ranked by 247Sports at this time, but he is largely considered to be one of the top talents in his class, and this selection backs that up.
While Dampier Jr. doesn't play his prep basketball in the Lone Star State, like Spears Jr. does for Dynamic Prep in Dallas, Cowboys fans will surely be pulling for both players to help bring home the gold once the FIBA U16 Men's AmeriCup tips off.