Grizzlies hidden weapon is already impressing

Memphis Grizzlies rookie guard Cam Spencer may not be a household name yet, but he’s already catching the attention of his teammates and scouts. Known for his intense play on the court, Spencer keeps a low profile off of it, avoiding social media and viral highlights. But when the Grizzlies picked him in the second round of the 2024 draft and put him on a two-way contract, his game started speaking for itself.

Spencer’s early impact draws attention

While most two-way contract players spend much of their first season in the G League with limited NBA minutes, talent evaluators believe Spencer might carve out a bigger role with the Grizzlies. Jonathan Wasserman, lead scout for Bleacher Report, highlighted Spencer’s potential : “Shooting remains his calling card, but Spencer was one of the most efficient pick-and-roll players in college basketball with his pace control, three-level shotmaking and veteran decision-making... Even with Memphis at full strength, coach Taylor Jenkins could use Spencer in a connector role.”

Grizzlies fans have seen this before with players like John Konchar, Vince Williams Jr., and GG Jackson, who started on two-way deals before earning full roster spots. Spencer’s shooting and basketball IQ might help him follow a similar path.

Earning respect from teammates

As Spencer integrates into the team, his Grizzlies teammates are taking note. Veteran guard Luke Kennard, who shares Spencer’s love for golf, has been particularly impressed. “He’s a great player, smart player, and great guy, too” , Kennard said. “I’m excited to continue to get to know him.”

Spencer’s shooting ability has been a standout in training, where he converted 10 of his 19 three-point attempts during summer league play, averaging 13 points per game. His shooting and playmaking skills are exactly what Memphis needs, particularly with their focus on surrounding stars like Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. with reliable role players.

Spencer’s shooting touch has even earned him a spot in the highly competitive three-point shooting contests between Kennard and Desmond Bane. “He can shoot, man” , Kennard said. “He really can. I think he’ll be really close in our shooting competitions. We’ll let him get in a couple and see how he can hang.”

As the Grizzlies prepare for the upcoming season, Cam Spencer is quietly making a case for more than just a two-way contract role. With early praise from scouts and teammates alike, Spencer’s shooting and playmaking could see him become a key contributor for Memphis sooner rather than later.

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