Tough loss with the death of Neal Spinks(Western Guilford HS/Tusculum College):Sadness in the basketball camp on this Thursday

A very tough loss to learn yesterday/Wednesday of the death of Neal Spinks, former post player for the Western Guilford Hornets basketball team…Neal was a big strong inside player at 6’7/230 and he went on to have a very good career with Tusculum College up in Tennessee…You will be able to see his career notes down below and it should be noted that he played with some very good young men at Western Guilford also…Sad day among that Western Guilford hoops camp, as former teammates and classmates are getting this news on the death of Neal Spinks…

Neal was on the floor with Hornets such as Reggie Perkins, Diante Baldwin, Donavon Gilmore, DeEric Baldwin, Mike McCleese, Tweesie Wilkerson, Tyler Stutts and many more….They all played for Coach Art Wade at Western Guilford and today there is definite sadness in that Hornet camp….Lots of good memories of Neal at Western Guilford and he was big and he played hard for the Hornets…

Lots of questions surrounding his death and suicide has been mentioned as a possible cause of death and as is the case in situations like this one, our thoughts and prayers do go out to his family and friends….Don’t have any of the answers on this one and maybe only time will tell, but it is time to keep all of these kids in mind as they go through so many trials and tribulations and so many times the end seems to be the only way out….

Please remember the family of Neal Spinks and let us hope this young man has found peace on the other side….Continued thoughts and prayers going out to the Spinks family and friends on this day and it will take time for all of this to settle in/heal, so keep them on your list in the days to come….

from Tusculum Basketball Athletics web site in 2013-2014….
Neal Spinks
#23
Position: F Ht.: 6-7 Wt.: 235
Hometown: Greensboro, N.C.
Previous School: Western Guilford HS
Eligibility: Jr. Major: Criminal Justice

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2012-13: Appeared in 26 games, including five starts in his last six outings… Averaged 8.0 points and 3.6 rebounds per game… Finished fourth on the team in scoring and third in rebounding… Posted 11.5 points per contest in his final six games of the year… Scored season-high 16 points on two occasions against Knoxville (Nov. 16) and Mars Hill (Feb. 23)… Scored in double digits in four of his last six outings… 5.5 rebounds per game in his last four contests… Made 13 consecutive free throws from Jan. 5-26… 11 games with 10 or more points… Played in a career-high 32 minutes at Brevard (Mar. 2).

2011-12: Played in 21 contests, all off the bench in his rookie season… Scored a season-high 18 points in 22 minutes against Mars Hill (Feb. 25)… Shot 7-for-9 from the floor and went 4-of-6 at the free throw line… Also pulled down a season-best eight rebounds, including five on the offensive boards… Tallied 12 points against Brevard (Feb. 4) and 10 more markers at Catawba (Feb. 18), both wins… Finished the year shooting 46.8 percent from the field and 65.5 percent from the foul line… Posted two blocks against Mount Olive (Nov. 11), King (Nov. 18) and Mars Hill.

High School: Played his prep career at Western Guilford HS in Greensboro, N.C… Coached by Art.Wade… Averaged 15 points and 11 rebounds per game in his senior season… Tallied 10 points and eight boards per contest as a junior.

Personal: Full name is Robert Neal Spinks… Born Feb. 4, 1993 in Greensboro, N.C… Son of Robert and Annette Spinks… Brother – Nick, played the last two years on the TC basketball team and is a student assistant in 2013-14… Sister, Nicole… Majoring in criminal justice… Favorite midnight snack; Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups; Favorite movie: “Transformers”; Favorite musical artist: Rick Ross; Favorite sports team: Orlando Magic; Least favorite food: Potatoes; Favorite athlete: Dwight Howard; Most thrilling moment in sports: Hitting a game-winning shot; Advice to kids: “Take advantage of all opportunities”; Favorite color: Blue; Favorite food: Pizza; Favorite sport other than basketball: Football; People Neal most admires: His parents; Most famous person Neal has ever met: Michael Jordan; Toughest player Neal has ever played against: PJ Hairston; What people don’t know about Neal: He is proficient in working with cars.

Obituary from the News and Record:
Greensboro Robert Neal Spinks, 21, died Tuesday, September 16, 2014. Funeral services are incomplete, arrangements by Community Funeral Service, Inc.

3 thoughts on “Tough loss with the death of Neal Spinks(Western Guilford HS/Tusculum College):Sadness in the basketball camp on this Thursday

  1. Neal Spinks obituary from Commuinty Funeral Service in Greensboro:

    Robert Neal Spinks, 21, of Greensboro, died Tuesday, September 16, 2014 at his residence.

    Funeral Services, 3:00PM, Sunday, September 21, 2014, at Shiloh Baptist Church, 1210 Eugene Street, Greensboro.

    Officiating, Pastor Howard L. Woods.

    Burial, Ebenezer Baptist Church,, Greensboro.

    Survivors: Parents; Robert and Annette Spinks, one brother; Nicholas Spinks, and one sister; Nicole Spinks and a host of other relatives and friends.

    Visitation, 2:00PM to 3:00PM, Sunday, Shiloh Baptist Church, Greensboro.

  2. This is a terrible loss to such a wonderful family. This young man who always had a smile on his face will truly be missed in the community and neighborhood.

    Stay strong Spinks family – we are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.

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