Tag: Cam Spencer

Former UConn star Cam Spencer shines for Memphis Grizzlies in Summer League

Former UConn Huskies guard Cam Spencer performed well for the Memphis Grizzlies in NBA Summer League on Tuesday.

It’s been a splashy week for Memphis Grizzlies rookies. First it was Zach Edey dominating in his NBA Summer League debut, posting a 14 point, 15 rebound double-double with the game-tying tip-in.

Then on Tuesday the headlines belonged to second round pick Jaylen Wells out of Washington State, who had a game-high 27 points including the game winning floater to secure a win for Memphis over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Wells may have had the bigger statline, but fellow second round pick Cam Spencer may have had the more impressive performance. Spencer, who helped bring a second straight national championship to UConn last season after playing the previous year at Rutgers, dropped 18 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds in about 35 minutes of action.

He shot 7-14 from the field and 3-7 from deep, with one steal and just one turnover on the night.

Spencer signed a two-way deal with Memphis on Monday in a move that already looks promising for the Grizzlies – who used this draft to add NBA-ready talent to a team hoping to compete right away with a fully healthy Ja Morant in the mix.

Edey is expected to start at the center position, while Wells has the size and outside shooting ability to be a rotation player right away. Spencer is a lights out shooter who will get a chance to contribute as a rookie right away as well.

It’s not hard to imagine Spencer’s intensity, scoring ability, winning mentality and experience leading him to a role as a floor spacer and hard-nosed energy guy for this Grizzlies team in Year 1, potentially giving them a trio of contributors out of what was widely considered a weak draft class.

UConn guard Cam Spencer wants to improve defensively ahead of draft

Spencer helped the Huskies to their second straight national title, averaging 14.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.5 steals.

Former UConn guard Cam Spencer is a potential second-round pick in the 2024 NBA draft, and the 24-year-old is working hard to improve his stock in workouts and interviews.

Spencer helped the Huskies to their second straight national title, averaging 14.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.5 steals on 44% shooting from 3-point range. He scored at least 20 points eight times, including a season-high 25 points on Nov. 14.

The 6-foot-4 standout was named to the NCAA All-Tournament team after posting 13.3 points, seven rebounds, 3.5 assists and two steals in six games. He produced 11 points and eight rebounds in the national championship game against Purdue.

He named the area this week that he is working to improve most.

I think, defensively, coming in. Obviously, it is a different game, the NBA and college. There is more space and less gap help, so I think to be able to get on the floor especially come playoff time, everybody needs to show they can defend. (I’m) watching a lot of film and going over my technique on the defensive end to try to get better. That has been the main focus.

Spencer established himself as a tremendous shooter in college, leaving after converting 41.7% from beyond the arc in five years. He excelled as a cutter to get open in catch-and-shoot and on-the-move situations and could also get into the paint and finish.

He projects to be a floor-spacer at the next level who can step in off the bench. His exact role will likely be determined by how quickly he can defend consistently and handle the physicality at the next level after weighing in at 201 pounds at the draft combine.

Spencer recently worked out with the Indiana Pacers and has also visited the Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets and Charlotte Hornets, among others. He will be looking to continue to showcase himself at a high level in his upcoming workouts ahead of the draft on June 26-27.

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Cam Spencer: NBA draft scouting report

2000 | 6’3 | 6’5 WS | 201 LBS Team: Connecticut Agency: Priority Sports Best aggregate mock draft rank : 37 / Worst rank: NR 2023-24 stats: In 2023-24, Spencer averaged 14.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 0.3 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game. He …

2000 | 6’3 | 6’5 WS | 201 LBS

Team: Connecticut

Agency: Priority Sports

Best aggregate mock draft rank: 37 / Worst rank: NR

2023-24 stats:

In 2023-24, Spencer averaged 14.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 0.3 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game. He shot 48.4 percent from the field, 44.0 percent from three, and 91.1 percent from the foul line.

2024 NBA Draft Combine: Winners and losers

The 2024 NBA Draft Combine has concluded, and as the dust settles in Chicago, we review the most significant winners and losers from this year’s pre-draft event. Despite being considered one of the weakest drafts in recent memory, the combine still …

The 2024 NBA Draft Combine has concluded, and as the dust settles in Chicago, we review the most significant winners and losers from this year’s pre-draft event. Despite being considered one of the weakest drafts in recent memory, the combine still plays a crucial role. It helps fringe lottery picks, determines if a player is a late first-rounder or early second-rounder, and boosts the chances of players who might have gone undrafted. With the draft just over a month away, here’s a breakdown of the standout moments and performances from this year’s combine.

UConn sophomore Alex Karaban to declare for NBA draft, retain eligibility

Karaban helped the Huskies to their second straight title, averaging 13.3 points and 5.1 rebounds on 37.9% shooting from 3-point range.

UConn sophomore Alex Karaban announced Thursday on social media that he will declare for the 2024 NBA draft while retaining his remaining college eligibility.

Karaban helped the Huskies to their second straight championship after averaging 13.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists on 37.9% shooting from 3-point range. He produced eight 20-point games, including a season-high 26 points and seven rebounds on Dec. 9.

The 21-year-old joins teammate Donovan Clingan in declaring for the draft this year, while Stephon Castle, Tristen Newton and Cam Spencer are also expected to enter. Clingan and Castle are projected to be lottery picks.

Karaban isn’t projected to be drafted, though he will have the opportunity to improve his stock in team interviews and workouts. He could also be invited to compete in the G League Elite Camp or draft combine next month in Chicago, Illinois.

He has until May 29 to withdraw from the draft and return to school.

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Pat Spencer’s brother Cam wins national championship with UConn

Cam Spencer, the brother of Warriors guard Pat, won the national championship on Monday with the UConn Huskies.

Although the Golden State Warriors don’t have an alum from Purdue or Conneticuit on the roster, one member of the team has a special rooting interest in Monday’s men’s basketball national championship in Phoenix.

New Warriors two-way guard Pat Spencer is the brother of Uconn Huskies star guard Cam Spencer.

Spencer stuffed the box score, leading the Huskies in rebounds and steals as they secured their second straight national championship and the sixth title for UConn in the last 25 years.

Via @BleacherReport on Twitter:

Spencer tallied 11 points on 5-of-12 shooting from the field to go along with eight rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block in 34 minutes as the Huskies took out Zach Edey and the Boilermakers to end March Madness on Monday night. Behind Spencer and the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player Tristen Newton, UConn beat Purdue, 75-60

Spencer earned All-Big East honors in his only season with UConn, averaging 14.2 points on 48.4% shooting from the field and 44% shooting from the field with 4.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 32.8 minutes per game.

This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! 

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Michigan State’s Tom Izzo on the state of Rutgers basketball: I feel for Steve Pikiell

Michigan State head coach Tim Izzo talks about Rutgers basketball

Rutgers basketball is in a transition year, one clearly made worse by some offseason decisions that came as a major surprise to the program. Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo is a believer that Rutgers’ down year is due in part to these offseason choices where two starters shockingly entered the transfer portal.

Michigan State beat Rutgers 73-55 on Sunday. With the loss, Rutgers is now 9-7 (1-4 Big Ten).

This offseason, Rutgers shockingly lost its starting backcourt when Paul Mulcahy and Cam Spencer went in the transfer portal.

The loss of Spencer (to UConn) was a huge surprise and stung the program. Rutgers took a chance on Spencer, who played three seasons for Loyola (Maryland). Spencer took a big step up and excelled at Rutgers.

He was being counted on as a big contributor this season. Instead, he parlayed his success at Rutgers that into an opportunity with UConn.

“Don’t rule them [Rutgers] out either. Those two wings, (Mawot) Mag and (Aundre) Hyatt, they’re good players and (Cliff) Omoruyi is a monster,” Izzo told reporters after the game.

“I think they’re getting a little more out of their guards. But, I feel sorry for him [Pikiell], it’s one thing these crazy rules that we have to all deal with, but I think he lost two of his guys in the summer. One went to UConn and one went to Washington. When you lose them in the summer you don’t get to get another player and so I feel for Steve on that. It’s hard enough when you lose them in the spring, but when you lose them in the summer… I think those young guards are coming but they’re young. So, I think all those had a factor in it.”

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Spencer is currently averaging 15,6 points per game, a career high. His 51.4 field goal percentage and 46.8 percentage from three point is a major reason why UConn is 15-2 on the season.

Former Rutgers guard Cam Spencer breaks down why he picked UConn in the transfer portal

Cam Spencer talks about why he left Rutgers for UConn.

Former Rutgers basketball standout guard Cam Spencer said his move to UConn this offseason was all about fit. Spencer, who had a very strong season with Rutgers last year, entered the transfer portal this offseason and joins what is now the third team of his college basketball career.

Spencer transferred from Loyola-Maryland to Rutgers last year. In his lone season with the Scarlet Knights program, he averaged 13.2 points per game.

His decision to leave the program after one year was a bit of a surprise given how seamlessly he fit into head coach Steve Pikiell’s team.

In an interview this week, Spencer was asked by college basketball insider Andy Katz  “Why UConn?”

“It was a great fit from the first call, we spoke early,” Spencer told Katz.

“The assistants, we just meshed well, very blue-collar people, competitive people like myself. Really just meshed very well, it was a perfect fit for me.”

UConn are the defending national champions after they beat Miami to win the title.

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Katz followed up his brief interview with Spencer when he asked about how he fit in with the Huskies.

“It’s really a bunch of good guys who are well-coached and just all about the team. Very unselfish, all about winning and I think I fit right in,” Spencer said.

“I’m here to do whatever it takes to help the team win on both ends of the floor. Really just happy with the coaches and all the guys on the team so far. Can’t wait to get the season started.”

After an offseason full of change, Rutgers men’s basketball preparing for 2023-2024 campaign

What are the biggest stories of the Rutgers basketball upcoming season?

For Rutgers basketball, a lot has changed over the last few months. Key pieces such as Cam Spencer and Paul Mulcahy entered the transfer portal, and Caleb McConnell said goodbye to Piscataway. While they all played an important role, the Scarlet Knights are shifting their focus to the 2023-2024 campaign.

The roster will feature many new faces, including Jamicheal Davis, Derek Simpson, and Gavin Griffiths. The trio should add a boost offensively which will be vital in the Big Ten. For head coach Steve Pikiell it will be an important season after Rutgers missed the NCAA Tournament last year.

Pikiell will have talented upperclassmen to lean on in Clifford Omoruyi and Aundre Hyatt, who took his game to another level during the 2022-2023 campaign. That duo should make life harder for opponents when they take on Rutgers.

While the season is still months away, fans in Piscataway could have a fun winter in store. This team has the chance talent to make things interesting and has been shaped by six moves in particular.

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Cam Spencer sweepstakes down to four schools

Per a report, Cam Spencer is down to four programs.

Rutgers basketball got crushing news two weeks ago when Cam Spencer entered the transfer portal. Now, a report from Stadium’s Jeff Goodman seems to indicate that Spencer has narrowed his decision down to four schools.

The senior guard led Rutgers in scoring as well as being the program’s top three-point shooter.

Spencer is certainly in demand since entering the transfer portal and appears to be honing in on four schools.

According to Stadium’s Jeff Goodman, the final four teams are Miami, UConn, Oklahoma, and UCLA. Georgetown was reported to be the front-runner when Spencer entered the transfer portal, but they now appear to be out of the running. After tormenting Big Ten teams, it seems that won’t be an issue as Spencer appears to be heading out of the conference for his final season of college basketball.

In his only season as a Scarlet Knight, the Loyola-Maryland transfer was lethal from beyond the arc. His 72 three-pointers were the most by any Rutgers player since Mike Rosario made 74 during the 2008-2009 season. Spencer wanted the ball in his hands in clutch situations and came through in big spots. He will not be an easy player for Rutgers to replace.

Last season, he averaged 13.2 points per game.

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While Spencer has yet to visit any of the programs on his list, he has some well-known schools to choose from. UConn is the defending national champion, and UCLA, Oklahoma, and Miami are usually in the NCAA Tournament. He will be eligible to play next season and is looking to end his college career with a deep tournament run.

Rutgers will also be without fifth-year senior Caleb McConnell, who exhausted his eligibility this season, and fellow transfers Dean Reiber, Oskar Palmquist, Jalen Miller, and walk-on guard Logan Stephens.

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