Holland Christian’s Titus Spencer looking for a college to take a chance on him

Holland Christian senior Titus Spencer passes the ball against Grandville at The Invite at Calvin University on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. He scored 28 points in the game. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

This story originally ran in the Holland Sentinel newspaper.

GRAND RAPIDS - Titus Spencer got a reaction from the crowd as he drained an NBA-range 3-pointer in transition.

The Holland Christian senior had a big night in a big gym in front of a big crowd on the court of Calvin University on Saturday at “The Invite” basketball showcase.

“It’s really fun playing in this atmosphere in a bigger gym,” Spencer said.

That’s the kind of atmosphere Spencer wants to play in for the next four years of college.

Now he just needs to find a college to take a chance on him.

Spencer is one of the most electric players and prolific scorers in West Michigan. Yet he only has one college offer: from Grace University.

Why is that?

“I have no idea,” Unity Christian coach Scott Soodsma said. “He kills us every time we play them.”

Last season, Spencer, a 5-foot-11, 150-pound guard, averaged 22 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals per game. He was named OK Black Conference Player of the Year in a fan vote. 

“It’s maybe his size,” Holland Christian coach Brad Jansen said. “But I watch him score consistently on anybody. Tonight (against Grandville), they threw three guys at him and he still scores.”

Spencer had a game-high 28 points in a 55-52 loss to Grandville on Saturday.

Holland Christian senior Titus Spencer shoots a 3-pointer against South Christian on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

Through four games this season, he’s averaging 20 points per game. His lone hiccup was nine points against West Ottawa on Dec. 11. He sat with foul trouble and eventually fouled out. But it also was West Ottawa coach Jared Redell not wanting Spencer to go off like he did against the Panthers a year ago. On Dec. 13, 2024, Spencer scored 40 points in an 88-80 win over West Ottawa.

“It was very impressive,” West Ottawa guard Makai Campos recalled. “On our team, it was like we were in awe. We weren’t really expecting that out of him.”

But Redell has a lot of respect for Spencer. 

“He’s a really talented basketball player,” Redell said. “He can really score the ball. I think there’s some people that are really missing out on him.”

Last season, Spencer also had 38 points against Calvin Christian and 31 points against South Christian. 

All that scoring was no surprise since he was doing it on J.V., too. He averaged nearly 30 points per game, including a 43-point outburst against South Christian. 

“I think he’s a really good player,” Soodsma said. “He creates a lot of problems for teams defensively. You almost have to put a man-and-a-half on him to keep him out of the lane. He’s not just a really good shooter, he’s a good passer. And he’ll dump the ball to some of his teammates when he drives the lane.”

Said Campos “He’s a great player. He can do a little bit of everything. He’s very quick and a tough task to stop for any team.”

Titus Spencer of Holland Christian at the Hope College team camp on June 12, 2025. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

So why isn’t he getting more attention from colleges?

On Saturday, his 28-point game got the attention of Calvin University coach Bill Sall, who pulled Spencer aside after the game.

“It’s nice to find someone who has some faith in me,” Spencer said of Sall. “He wants me to come out (for a visit) and check out the campus a little more. That’s nice to hear.”

But it has been frustrating for Spencer. He said he’s done all he can do on the court.

“I’m not sure what else I can do,” he said. “I’ve reached out to coaches and they can see the stats. It’s just up to them if they want to look at me or not. There’s nothing I can do about that.”

Jansen said he’s not sure what the answer is, either.

“There’s a lot of really good basketball players in West Michigan,” he said. “Obviously, a lot of coaches are really system oriented. But Titus’ ability to freelance and create is a little intimidating (for a coach).”

Spencer, the son of Luke and Pong Spencer, is an even-keeled player on the court. He doesn’t get rattled. But he’s a model student and kid off the court, too. 

“He’s a great kid,” Jansen said. “He helps out with our Unified program. And my boys, who are young, he talks to them and looks after them.”

Now college coaches need to see the same thing.

“I’m excited for someone to take a chance on him,” Jansen said.