“I think it’s huge that he came back to finish to finish his degree,” said David Broome, Sperling’s former teammate and good friend.
“I don’t want to get to the point where I keep playing and playing and I get to 28 or 30-years-old and I haven’t finished school.” “I know it had to be a tough decision to take a year off playing professionally to get the degree,” Broome said. “But I think in the long run it’s the right move, especially for life after basketball.” Sperling’s former coaches are impressed at the fact he is able to come back and finish his degree. “We are especially proud of our academic excellence the past four years, and Brandon is a perfect example of our classroom achievements,” Humboldt Basketball Coach Steve Kinder said. When his basketball career is over, Sperling still wants to be involved in the game. “Once I do decide to move on from playing the game, I want to coach basketball,” Sperling said. “I would hope to start from high school varsity and move up through college and hopefully move up to coach professionally. Coaching professionally would be the ultimate goal.” Returning to Humboldt State as a coach isn’t out of the question. “Brandon would be a great addition to our coaching staff at HSU,” Kinder said. “He knows the system, understands our university and is a proven winner.”
second best on his team. “After two years playing for Fresno State he wanted to transfer to HSU,” Kinder said. “He was granted a release from Fresno State and we signed him to a full scholarship.” Sperling was recruited by Kinder, so he was comfortable going to HSU. “Guys I came in with my freshman year were transferring schools or entering the NBA draft,” Sperling said. “I decided at the time I wasn’t sure where the program was going so I decided to make a change. I told Coach Kinder I wanted to come to HSU and I thought it was a good place for me.” Sperling’s new teammates welcomed him. “Playing with Brandon was a lot of fun,” Broome said. “He was a gifted player and also very knowledgeable, so I was able to learn a lot. We competed very hard in the two years he was here. He’s definitely one of my favorite teammates I have had the chance to play with.” Broome says Sperling is a humble guy who led the team by his performance on the court. “Sperling was a great teammate,” Broome said. “He was quiet but still our leader. He said things when they needed to be said but definitely lead by example. No one outworked Sperling.” Sperling continues to be professional and dedicated off the basketball court. He begins his days at six in the morning in the gym shooting jump shots. After that, Sperling heads to work at Danco Builders as an administrative assistant. Once work is over, he heads back to school for classes and studying in the library. “I don’t have too much free time with all the things I have going on,” Sperling said. “Once I do get that free time I just like to relax.”
According to his former teammates and coaches, Sperling was a phenomenal player. At 6 foot 5 inches he is a great ball handler, consistent scorer, tremendous defender and strong leader.
The dream of playing professional basketball remains a short-term goal. Sperling has a different outlook on what his long-term goals would be.
Sperling made an immediate impact coming to HSU leading the Jacks to the CCAA Championship two years in a row. During his senior year he averaged 13 points per game,
“At the end of the day, I just want to make my parents proud and be able to take care of my family,” Sperling said. “But most of all just be happy and live a successful life.”
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