While in eighth grade, Springer played varsity basketball for Lighthouse Christian School in Antioch, Tennessee, averaging a team-high 19 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.[1] In his first two years of high school, he played for Rocky River High School in Mint Hill, North Carolina, being drawn by head basketball coach Jermaine Walker despite academic and disciplinary concerns about the school.[2] In his freshman season, Springer averaged 21.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and five assists per game and led his team to its first state tournament appearance.[3] As a sophomore, he averaged 24.7 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 2.4 blocks per game, helping Rocky River reach the Class 4A state semifinals.[4] He was named Southwestern 4A Player of the Year.[5]
Entering his junior and senior seasons, Springer transferred to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.[6] He joined one of the best teams in the country and became teammates with top recruits Armando Bacot, Josh Green and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl.[7] As a junior, Springer averaged 15.6 points, four rebounds and four assists, helping his team win GEICO High School Nationals.[8] He scored 26 points in a 74–73 semifinal win over Montverde Academy.[9] In his senior season, Springer averaged 17.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game for IMG. He played through an ankle injury throughout the season and was in turn sidelined from some games.[10][11] Springer was selected to play in the McDonald's All-American Game, which was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[12]
Recruiting
Springer began receiving scholarship offers from NCAA Division I basketball programs during his freshman season in high school.[13] As a sophomore, he emerged as one of the best players in the 2020 class.[14] On October 23, 2019, he committed to play college basketball for Tennessee over offers from Memphis and Michigan, among others.[15]
On December 18, 2020, Springer recorded 21 points, six rebounds and six assists in a 103–49 win against Tennessee Tech.[16] On February 10, 2021, he scored a career-high 30 points in an 89–81 win over Georgia.[17] As a freshman, Springer averaged 12.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game, earning Southeastern Conference (SEC) All-Freshman Team honors.[18] Following the season, he declared for the 2021 NBA draft and signed with an agent.[19]
Professional career
Philadelphia 76ers (2021–2024)
Springer was selected with the 28th pick in the 2021 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers.[20] On August 4, 2021, Springer was signed by the Sixers.[21] On October 24, 2021, Springer was assigned to the Sixers G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats.[22] Springer would spend the majority of his rookie year with the Blue Coats, playing only 2 regular season games for the 76ers.
On February 8, 2024, Springer was traded to the Boston Celtics in exchange for a second-round pick.[24] Springer became an NBA champion when the Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks in 5 games in the NBA Finals.
Springer had an impressive performance in the 2024 NBA Summer League, showcasing his skills and potential to secure a more significant role with the Boston Celtics. In the Celtics' first game against the Miami Heat, Springer led the team with 23 points, demonstrating his scoring ability and potential to play lockdown defense. Springer only played one game before the Celtics shut him down.[25]
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