UConn’s sharpshooter Cam Spencer chased down an elusive national championship this season, but he now has his eyes on an even bigger prize. The NBA hopeful and younger brother of Warriors two-way player Pat Spencer, Cam brings a plethora of skills that are valuable in the backcourt, and he has already completed workouts with several teams.
Cam Spencer 2024 NBA Draft Profile
College Career
Spencer’s college career came with many twists and turns. He enjoyed a solid role at Loyola Maryland, being named to the Patriot League’s All-Freshman Team after averaging ten points per game on .491/.436/.857 splits. He only suited up for five games as a sophomore following offseason hip surgery, but posted similar numbers in the process (10 PPG on .425/.400/.769 splits). Spencer broke out in his junior year for the Greyhounds, leading the league in points (18.9) while shooting nearly 47% from the field.
He then transferred to Rutgers as a senior, filling big shoes left by Ron Harper Jr. and Geo Baker. His standout production continued for the Scarlet Knights, as he put up 13.2 points while shooting 44% from the field and 43% from distance. Spencer also came up clutch several times that season, including a game-winning triple to upset No. 1 Purdue on the Boilermakers’ home floor.
Spencer’s journey continued into a graduate year, when he eventually transferred to UConn to sharpen his skills against Big East competition—with the hopes of making it to college basketball’s biggest stage. Spencer told reporters at Big East Media Day: “For me, I wanted to play at the highest level that I can professionally and I thought UConn brought the best opportunity.”
The 24-year-old averaged 14 points on an impressive 44% shooting from three (5th in the NCAA) and 91% from the free-throw line (highest in UConn history). The Big East Newcomer of the Year became a starter during UConn’s title run, with his offensive efficiency doing wonders for head coach Dan Hurley. Spencer helped the Huskies cut down the nets with averages of 13 points per game on 46% shooting from the field, 40% from three and 90% from the free-throw line.
Strengths
Cam Spencer is arguably one of the best shooters in the draft, knocking down jumpers on a high efficiency. Threes are his specialty, and he can knock them down off the catch, off of screens, or off of stepbacks. Over half of his attempts came from beyond the arc. Throughout Spencer’s five-year career, he knocked down two triples per game out of five attempts.
Checking in on UConn’s Cam Spencer as he prepares for the NBA Draft Combine.
It’s no wonder he developed into one of the best guards in America given the extremely high standard he holds himself to.
Laser-focused, relentless worker who strives for perfection.
Tone-setter. pic.twitter.com/zuoi9PDFTy
— Jon Chepkevich (@JonChep) May 12, 2024
Spencer has also shown a knack for scoring inside the arc. He gets to his midrange spots well, scoring with an array of turnaround jump shots and floaters. And though it isn’t often, he cuts to the rim for layups, using his smarts and speed to get open. One of Spencer’s signature moves is a step through, stopping on a dime and giving a couple of fakes before throwing in a layup.
Cam Spencer step through pic.twitter.com/XMPRW9FDHx
— Step Through Joe (@StepThroughJoe) April 26, 2024
Aside from putting the ball in the basket, Spencer has consistently been a solid playmaker. He averaged 3.6 assists per game for UConn this season, and dished roughly three dimes a game over the course of five years. Spencer does particularly well in pick-and-rolls, drawing attention to himself before finding cutting teammates with ease.
Spencer clearly made a mark on the game with his offense, so much so that it earned him the second-highest offensive rating in the NCAA.
Weaknesses
Spencer was widely known for his offensive prowess, but his defense has left more to be desired. Though he does a good job of collecting steals (career average of 1.6 per game) and forcing turnovers, there are questions over whether it could translate to the next level. He admitted his defensive shortcomings were one reason behind UConn’s midseason loss to Creighton, and he continued to keep himself accountable on that end of the floor. Following his workout with the Pacers, he told the IndyStar:
“To be able to get on the floor — especially come playoff time — everybody needs to show that they can defend. So watching a lot of film and just going over my technique on the defensive end to try to get better, that’s really the main focus.”
“On the defensive end from start to finish – I really put a focus on that side of the floor. To win championships you have to play defense as a team.”
Guard Cam Spencer spoke about about his competitiveness, how he grew from his championship run at Connecticut and what he took… pic.twitter.com/IQJV9yn1Us
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) June 4, 2024
The guard’s 6’5” wingspan and lack of athleticism (30.5” vertical) may also be considered negatives towards his draft stock. He will also have to build on his 207-pound frame to avoid being pushed around against NBA-level competition.
NBA Comparison
Spencer’s sharpshooting has resulted in comparisons to Wizards forward Corey Kispert and Bucks guard Pat Connaughton. All three of them score at a high clip and primarily from the perimeter, excelling at spot-up shooting in particular. If things work out, Spencer may carve out a role as a team’s shooter off the bench, and his improvement on defense will help his case for more opportunities.
