Spear+became+the+27th+player+in+program+history+to+reach+the+1%2C000-Point+Club+and+the+first+since+Josh+Williams+in+2019.

Julia Wasielewski

Spear became the 27th player in program history to reach the 1,000-Point Club and the first since Josh Williams in 2019.

Robert Morris Forward Kahliel Spear Named Horizon League Player of the Week After Eclipsing 1,000 Point Mark

Kahliel Spear has made his mark on the Colonials program over the years.

January 30, 2023

It was a record-breaking weekend and a record-breaking season for graduate forward Kahliel Spear en route to the team’s weekend sweep over the Michigan team’s Detroit Mercy and Oakland on Friday and Sunday, Spear reached the 1,000-point plateau in Sunday afternoon’s 68-63 win over the Golden Grizzlies, while also garnering Horizon League Men’s Basketball Player of the Week honors.

Spear also became the 14th player to reach the 1,000-point mark and 500 career rebounds in program history. (Photo by Kyle Le)

Spear is no stranger to breaking records as he already passed the 1,000-point mark at the Division I level earlier this season against Purdue Fort Wayne on Dec. 29. He also joined the Robert Morris 500-rebound club in the team’s win over Green Bay last weekend.

On Friday, Spear did more of the same as he helped the Colonials secure their fifth Horizon League win of the season and the team’s 10th win overall, which is the first time the Colonials have been able to record double-digit wins since the 2019-20 season.

Spear paced RMU tallying 25 points and snagging four boards in 36 minutes of in-game action Friday evening against the Titans, securing their first win in program history against Detroit Mercy.

He followed that performance by posting a double-double while scoring a career-high 30 points and 11 boards in Sunday’s win against Oakland.

Also, on Sunday, he became the 27th player in program history to reach the 1,000-Point Club and the first since Josh Williams in 2019.

Spear also became the 14th player to reach the 1,000-point mark and 500 career rebounds in program history.

Spear discussed that he never thought this opportunity would have presented itself when he transferred into the program three seasons ago.

“We always want to win as a group and put the team first. That is why we put the days in every day to get better as a team. When you see your work pay off and your individual accomplishments and your goals come true it is very rewarding. It is humbling because a couple of years ago before I came here I did not know if I would have that opportunity so I just always want to stay humble and I am grateful for the opportunity.

— Kahliel Spear on his recent accomplishments

It has been a journey for The Colony, Texas native as he spent the first two years of his collegiate career with Bucknell before transferring into the Robert Morris program after they captured their final Northeast Conference title in the 2019-20 season.

Head coach Andy Toole discussed Spear’s growth and maturation as a player and leader on and off the court.

“Kahliel is someone when he came here, you could see the raw ability that he had,” Toole said. “He is in the gym every day with Dave Fedor working and trying to get better and trying to improve his game. He has continued to get stronger and virtually when he was in his first year. He doubled his points total and then the next year, he took another huge jump. He has developed his all-around game in his ability to score and rebound and now he is doing so many things in his commitment to a defense which is critical for us when it comes to protecting the rim. He is an experienced leader on this team and guys look at him and he came up huge today.”

Spear’s accomplishment on Sunday adds another exclamation point to his long, illustrious career and he and the Colonials will look to continue their hot stretch on Thursday night as they welcome Northern Kentucky to the UPMC Events Center at 7 p.m.