It’s not easy to step out of the shadows of one’s father. Tre Spivey understands that better than most people his age.
Tre Spivey’s dad, Junior, played second base for the the Arizona Diamondbacks when the franchise won the 2001 World Series. He was an All-Star the following season, leading the team in hits and runs scored.
The elder Spivey spent three seasons with the D-Backs and also made periodic stops in Tucson playing for the organizations’s then-Triple A affiliate, the Tucson Sidewinders.
Junior Spivey, who would go on to play for the Milwaukee Brewers and Washington Nationals, made a late-career appearance for the independent Tucson Toros in 2009 before retiring the following year. The Spivey family settled down in Chandler, Arizona, which is where Tre Spivey grew up as an avid Arizona sports fan.
“Being an Arizona kid, growing up watching Arizona sports, it’s been huge (in my life),” said Spivey. “Especially when I got to high school, that’s when I became a true fan of the University of Arizona. I’m kind of living a dream right now.”
Tre Spivey took a circuitous route to follow that dream.
At Hamilton High School, he followed in his father’s footsteps by playing baseball, but his 6-foot-4, speedy frame was better suited for the gridiron. Spivey developed into one of the top high school wide receivers in the state, and held offers from the likes of Arizona, ASU, UCLA and Washington.
He instead chose to attend Kansas State, the same state where Junior Spivey went to junior college before being drafted by the D-backs.
After seeing little playing time in two seasons at KSU, Spivey transferred to Arizona last December. He quickly became a fan favorite around town.
“Just meeting people who are like, ‘Oh my God, I know your dad. I watched him play. It’s crazy to see you out here as well’ has been awesome,” Spivey said. “I can’t even describe the feeling.”
Spivey’s first season with Arizona got off to a slow start with four receptions in the Wildcats’ first four games.
His breakout came against Oklahoma State, where he had two touchdown receptions and 80 receiving yards. Five of his six touchdowns came over a five-game stretch in Big 12 play.
While Spivey hasn’t seen the end zone since early November, he’s emerged as a key playmaker. Noah Fifita went to him four times in the Territorial Cup, Tre Spivey’s most receptions in a game at Arizona.
“Knowing that Noah has trusted me to go out there to make plays, regardless of if it’s a deep ball or touch the ball, or just getting the ball to me in space, I feel like it’s one of my biggest weapons, being able to move in space, make players miss, get extra yards,” Spivey said.
With Kris Hutson and Javin Whatley graduating, Spivey will be Arizona’s top returning receiver next season. The Holiday Bowl will provide him an opportunity to show he’s ready to compete for WR1 going into the spring.
“I’m excited to see where this next game takes us and from there on,” he said.