Cam Spencer has come a long way in five years. The Davidsonville native was an unranked prospect coming out of Boys’ Latin and his only Division I scholarship offer was from Loyola Maryland.
Two upward transfers and a national championship later, Spencer has transformed into a professional prospect.
Spencer’s remarkable journey continued Thursday night when he was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies with the 53rd pick of the 2024 NBA draft. The pick was originally owned by the New York Knicks, but ended up being a Grizzlies selection through a series of trades. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound guard had been projected as a late second-round pick by most analysts.
In Memphis, Spencer will be reunited with Santi Aldama, a former teammate at Loyola Maryland who was picked in the first round, 30th overall, by the Grizzlies in 2021.
“I’m happy to have the opportunity to play in the NBA. Memphis will be a good fit for me and my career,” Spencer told The Capital in a text message. “While I am happy to be drafted, I look forward to earning a roster spot to prove I belong at the next level.”
Spencer watched the second round of the NBA Draft at his uncle’s house in Edgewater along with 40 family and friends, including parents Bruce and Donna along with brothers Pat and Will. Also in attendance were numerous former Boys’ Latin and Amateur Athletic Union teammates.
Spencer learned through a phone call that Memphis would be acquiring the rights to the 53rd pick, which showed up on the NBA draft board as being taken by the Detroit Pistons.
Bruce Spencer said his son had individual workouts with 10 NBA teams, but had to cancel three others due to an ankle injury. A scheduled workout with the Grizzlies was among those Cam Spencer missed.
Cliff Rees, who coached Spencer at Boys’ Latin, followed the NBA draft on his phone while traveling Thursday and was thrilled when his former player’s name was called.
“It’s absolutely awesome. You can never anticipate or expect something like that, so an incredible accomplishment for Cam,” Rees said. “I couldn’t be happier for Cam, who has earned this opportunity. Ultimately, it was all about work ethic and commitment. Nobody works harder than Cam does.”
Spencer’s stock rose considerably during the 2023-24 season as he played an integral role in Connecticut’s second straight national championship. He was named first team All-Big East Conference after averaging 14.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.5 steals a game.
Spencer, who was also named the Big East Conference Newcomer of the Year by The Associated Press, shot 44% from 3-point range and 91.1% from the free throw line while averaging 33 minutes in 40 games.
Draft experts praised Spencer for his smooth perimeter shooting stroke and ability to move without the ball. They like his instincts and intensity, but wonder whether his relative lack of height and length will be a liability in the NBA.
ESPN.com said of Spencer: “His competitiveness, skill level and experience were huge assets for the Huskies last season and often overshadow his physical limitations, which are nonetheless questions he’ll have to answer in the NBA on both ends of the floor.”
“I think teams love his toughness, his shooting ability — just doing it on a big stage on a winning team can go a long way,” ESPN draft analyst Jeremy Woo said. “I think ideally for Cam he lands on a team where it’s a competitive team that needs a guy that can step in and give them some minutes and shoot. That’s what his role will hopefully be.”
Spencer joins his older brother in the pros. Pat Spencer, who was an All-American lacrosse player at Loyola Maryland and later played basketball for Northwestern, finished the 2023-24 season on a two-way contract with the Golden State Warriors.
Bruce Spencer said it’s a blessing for the whole family to have two sons playing in the NBA.
“It’s still a pinch yourself moment for me and Donna and certainly a dream come true for the two older boys,” he said. “It’s exciting to share their success with so many family and friends who have been able to enjoy the ride.”
Like his brother, Cam Spencer was a standout attackman in lacrosse at Boys’ Latin, earning All-MIAA A Conference honors and being named second team All-Metro by The Baltimore Sun. He had several Division I scholarship offers for the stick sport.
Cam also excelled on the basketball court for the Lakers, averaging 21 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists as a senior. He was named MIAA A Conference Player of the Year and first team All-Metro by The Sun.
Loyola Maryland was the only Division I school to offer Spencer a scholarship for basketball — and he took it. The 6-4 combo guard developed into a first-team All-Patriot League performer after leading the conference in scoring (18.9 points per game) and steals (2.3) as a junior.
Spencer initially transferred to Rutgers, where he started all 34 games in 2022-23 and tied for the team lead in scoring (13.2 points per game), while also averaging 3.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists. He shot 43.4% from beyond the arc, making 72 3-pointers, including a buzzer-beater in an upset victory over then-No. 1 Purdue.
