Sidney Spencer

Sidney Spencer (born March 7, 1985) is an American professional basketball who most recently played for the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA.

Sidney Spencer was born March 7, 1985, to Stephen and Janice Spencer.

She has two brothers, Brad, 27 and Scott, 25.

== High school career ==

Also during the highly successful 2001 campaign, she was named to the state finals all-tournament team, the Northeast Regional All-Tournament team and the Birmingham News 6A All-Metro team.

She concluded her high school career by establishing Hoover H.S. records with 1,743 points, 1,098 rebounds and 304 blocks.

Also compiled 255 career steals and averaged a career double-double (16.3 ppg and 10.3 rpg).

In addition to basketball, Sidney earned two letters with the volleyball team and served as captain one season.

She was named all-state in 2002 and 2003.

Member of the state's Final Four All-Tournament Team in '03.

Earned Most Valuable Player Honors in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Basketball Game following her 17-point, 14-rebound effort.

She got picked as the No. 1 Super Senior by the Birmingham News.

Led Hoover to a 32–3 mark en route to a state runner-up finish her senior season.

She was recognized by Street and Smith's Magazine as an honorable mention All-American in 2002.

Also recipient of player of the year awards from the Birmingham News, Birmingham Post-Herald and Over-The-Mountain following the '02 season.

Was named state finals most valuable player as a sophomore after leading her team to a 32–3 record and a state championship.

Spencer received the 2003 Alabama Miss Basketball award.

A product of Hoover, Alabama.

Sidney joined the Lady Vols after an award-laden prep career.

She was nicknamed the "Big Show" by her teammates and friends and was selected as a 2003 Adidas All-American.

She was also honored as 2003 "Miss Basketball" by the Alabama Sports Writers Association (ASWA).

Sidney was chosen as the ASWA 6A Player of the Year in 2003 for the second-consecutive season.

Also selected as the Gatorade Alabama Player of the Year her senior year.

2003–04: As a rookie, Sidney helped solidify the Lady Vols' interior presence both offensively and defensively with her athleticism and imposing size.

She played in all 35 games and averaged 5.5 ppg and 3.5 rpg.

She logged 16.8 minutes per contest as one of the Lady Vols' top reserves.

Tallied double-figure scoring in six games, including a career-high 14 points versus Auburn.

She registered a career-high nine rebounds on three occasions, including Auburn and back-to-back games in the NCAA Tournament against Colgate and DePaul.

She narrowly missed three career double-doubles in those games.

Two of Sidney's best all-around outings came in big contests for the rookie.

She grabbed five timely rebounds and claimed two steals in the upset win over top-ranked Duke.

Helped to hold off Georgia in the regular season with eight points and five rebounds in just 12 minutes of action.

Solid in SEC play, Sidney recorded 7.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg while connecting on 51% of her field goal tries and 80% of her charity tosses against the conference foes.

2004–05: Missed much of the season after suffering a torn ACL in her right knee during practice on Feb. 23.

And underwent surgery on March 14.

Born in Hoover, Alabama, Spencer attended the University of Tennessee, and in April 2007 led the team to the national championship.

That same month, she was selected in the second round of the WNBA draft by the Los Angeles Sparks.

She got off to an exceptional start in her rookie season, and as a fan favorite quickly worked her way into the team's starting line-up.

She became the 19th Lady Vol all-time to be named to the prestigious All-SEC Freshman Team.

Earned UT Dean's List honors every semester and was selected to the All-SEC Academic Team.