Heart of a competitor: How Memphis Grizzlies’ Cam Spencer’s drive pushed him to the top

Spencer warming up before an NBA 2K Summer League matchup.

April 8th, 2024. UConn vs. Purdue. NCAA Men’s National Championship. Some guys are having butterflies. Among them calm, cool, and collected is Cam Spencer. Late Laker great Kobe Bryant once said, “Pressure is not real, but an imagination of the mind and we the athletes make our own pressure.” Spencers’ hunger to compete blocked out the pressure and he totaled 11 points and 8 rebounds in a championship win. Growing up in an area like Maryland where sports competition is at an all-time high can be intimidating for some people. Family rivalries with his two brothers competing in everything they did shaped a drive in him, with his older brother 4 years older and his other brother 2 years younger.. A lot of fights and competition growing up with them helped shape who they are today. A 6”3 guard who always loves a chance to compete, Spencers’ parents, brothers, coaches, teammates and his growth in the Catholic faith are the reasons he is able to persevere through any obstacle in his way.

After his parents put a ball in his hand for the first time at 3 years old, Spencer knew he was meant to play sports. Living in an athletic family household, he leaned on his older brother Pat, who turned out to be one of the greatest college lacrosse players of all time, for guidance on and off the field and basketball court. It was through these experiences that Spencer developed a love for the game. Basketball was his first love, and his commitment shone in many ways, including an hour-long drive to school everyday which he had his parents to thank for, saying,“ [I’m] grateful to my parents and family for making me the person I am today. [They] sacrificed constantly [for me.]” Spencer was also an excellent lacrosse player in high school at Boys Latin in Towson, Maryland. The similarities of the two sports helped him with constant up and down movements and speeds of the game. Spencer decided to go the basketball route during his sophomore year, and ended up going to Loyola Maryland close to home for his first three years.

Freshman and sophomore year had their ups and downs for Spencer. He averaged 10 PPG in his first two years but suffered some injuries, including a hip injury during the season freshman year that required surgery and took him out for months. He said, “It sucked. But at the end of the day, you can only control what you control, get off your ass and keep going.” When asked what he would say to a kid growing up in Maryland who may face obstacles to achieve their dream, he responded with, “It starts with your passion for the sport. The commitment level, discipline, and hard work [are all factors]. Focusing on your goals starts with your work ethic. Have a passion for it, and it will show in the work you put in.” The game itself never really sped up for him as it does for others and he was able to play at his own pace, something few can say when adjusting to the college level which required longer hours in the weight room and on the court. Spencer works out everyday in some capacity while usually taking one off day a week but still tries to stay active and do something that day.

Junior year was a step up for Spencer as he led the Patriot League by scoring 19 points per game and steals (2.3). To get noticed by NBA scouts, he transferred to Rutgers for his senior year. Some of Spencer’s best moments was his dagger three-pointer to send Purdue home in a key conference matchup and hitting 6 three-pointers, including one in the final minute to beat Northwestern. For his final year of eligibility, he transferred to UConn and ranked No. 5 in the country in three-point percentage (44%). He described UConn head coach Dan Hurley as “super intense, passionate about winning, and willing to go to war for him.” Hurley got in his player’s face after a bad play or possession in practice or a game, something Spencer “appreciated and was grateful for.” On championship game day against Purdue, Spencer was efficient as UConn won their second title in as many years. Next up: the NBA Draft.

   Spencer after a big play against Purdue in the National Championship

Spencer wasted no time after UConn’s national title run for the NBA, starting to prepare only two weeks after the season ended. It all paid off when he got to hear his name called on Draft Day when Memphis selected him through a trade with Detroit with the 53rd pick, making him and his brother Pat (Golden State Warriors) one of the NBA brother duos. Spencer followed this up with a strong Summer League showing, averaging 15 points per game while shooting 59% from the field. He is pumped to suit up with the likes of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and fellow rookie Zach Edey. Spencer is also drawn to the “blue-collar culture in Memphis’ organization,” led by head coach Taylor Jenkins, one of the better coaches in the league. 

Spencer may be one of the top three-point shooters, but he only cares about what is best for his team to win. His answer was very similar to Stephen Curry in that he is all about the team and will do whatever it takes to win, whether it is off-ball movement, setting up open looks for teammates or locking down on a defensive possession. On championship game day, when others may have had butterflies, he was ready to get the game started and compete. Unlike all of his teammates, Spencer does not have Instagram. He currently does not have a sponsor deal. 

Spencer has received an undergraduate degree in Labor Relations from Rutgers as well as a Master’s Certificate in Nonprofit Management from UConn, achievements he can take with him for life after basketball. He plans on playing basketball in the NBA for as long as he can and then will do something with basketball afterwards whether that will be coaching, scouting or a front office job.