Utah Jazz Starting Center

13 years old. Felton has always been a good student even from an early age. He graduated 8th in his class at Eastern High School and was an Academic All-American at Louisville. “Mom was always tough on my academics,” Felton remembered. “It was do your homework first and then play.” When asked if he ever resisted his mom’s authority, Felton burst out laughing, “When your mom’s 6-5, you don’t rebel. She was very supportive but when she said jump, you said, ‘how high’.” Felton was always big growing up but had some difÏcult times. “I got cut in my 6th and 7th grade years,” said Felton. “I was 6-10 as an 8th grader and finally made the cut, but I sat on the end of the bench.”

The next year Felton was 7-0 and 215 pounds. He made the JV team as a 9th grader, but he never played. “If you would have ever asked my middle school coach that if someday I'd ever make it in the NBA, he would have said that idea would be crazy.” Felton’s mother always encouraged him. She told her son to keep practicing and that things would work out. She said, “If you like basketball, go for it.” Felton even went out for football in his 9th grade year. Felton laughed, “The basketball coach asked me if I'd lost my mind.” Bill Kercher was hired as the new basketball coach at Eastern for Felton’s sophomore year. Coach By Dr Greg Shepard The stage was set. The 1994 NBA season was winding down.

The Utah Jazz were headed to the playoffs again and they were playing at the San Antonio Spurs for the last season game in their S-game series. David Robinson at that time seemed to be the pick for the NBA’s Most Valuable Player. Felton Spencer, a reject center from possibly the NBA's worst team (Minnesota), was going to go against Robinson. “I was in the best shape of my life at the last of the season,” beamed Felton. “It was fun to play. sprinting, Leaper and skill work. rebounds in a Jazz victory. ning. Felton grew up in Louisville. ly helped me with peer pressure.” by the time he was a senior. Felton began lifting weights a little bit in his sophomore year.

“All we Felton continued to battle his weight as an incoming freshman at Louisville. “When I reported in at 7- did was universal gym type stuff,”

1 315 pounds,”

Crum told me that I’d lost my mind.” you in my ofÏce for a minute.” and garnered All-State honors. offs for the first time in 50 years. some Leaper work but no Cleans. play. had lost 75 pounds! “I lost the weight way too ily. It took the pressure off so I didn’t have to take the trips to schools or get choose better foods. fessed, “My coach called it baby fat. both sophomore and junior years.

7 rebounds in his junior year.

American and an Academic AllAmerican.

Felton finally started in his senior year and averaged 15 points and 9 rebounds per game still weighing 265 very carefully with all the Jazz players which are difÏcult for tall athletes but Box Squats, it really isn’t all that difÏ- every other center in the league. the NBA.

Coach Anderson Making Sure Felton’s Back Is Locked-In. don’t let people tell you that you can’t.

Put forth your best effort.” you don’t lift during the season. “Last season I actually gained Limit philosophy of life. “I enjoy every day as it is given to me. I Academic All-American.

NBA, especially those over seven feet. adverse effect on my touch at all. after you lift. Anyway, it helps me.

Timberwolf career was discouraging. better. Box Squats are a definite plus. really helped me come back.” casting. He was an All-Metro center year in the conference. Felton was Iily fill in the center gap.

Coach Anderson & Felton Discussing Breaking Records In-Season.

From BFS Magazine — Winter 1994. Part of the BFS Magazine Archive (1980–2014).