Rookie Cam Spencer is drawing early praise from Memphis Grizzlies teammates, scouts

Memphis Grizzlies rookie guard Cam Spencer is known to be expressive and intense on the floor, but off of it, he fades into the shadows.

Spencer isn’t on social media. There aren’t viral highlight clips of his game going around everywhere. When the 2024 second-round pick played with the Grizzlies in summer league, his game spoke volumes. Since then, things have essentially been mute on his first season preparations.

The Grizzlies have Spencer on a two-way contract. The usual expectations when players sign those deals are limited playing time and a chunk of the season in the G League. That could end up being the case for Spencer, but talent evaluators are not sold on that’s how Spencer’s season will play out.

Remember, the Grizzlies started John Konchar, Vince Williams Jr. and GG Jackson on two-way contracts before promoting them.

“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,” lead scout for Bleacher Report Jonathan Wasserman recently wrote. “… Even with Memphis at full strength, coach Taylor Jenkins could use Spencer in a connector role.”

Like with the rest of the rookies, Grizzlies teammates have started the feel-out process in getting to know Spencer. For example, conversations with fellow Grizzlies guard Luke Kennard resulted in the two learning of their shared golf interests.

“He’s a great player, smart player and great guy, too,” Kennard said. “I’m excited to continue to get to know him.”

Another commonality between Kennard and Spencer is their ability to shoot the basketball. Kennard’s been one of the NBA’s best shooters, and Spencer was widely regarded as one of the top 3-point snipers available in this year’s draft.

Spencer converted 10 of his 19 summer league 3-point attempts while averaging 13 points per game. He also flashed positive playmaking and rebounding, which are skills Jenkins loves to see from role players around the likes of Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.

Shooting will more than likely be Spencer’s way of getting on the floor. Physically, the 6-foot-3 guard isn’t intimidating defensively. Memphis has a major need for 3-point shooting, and Spencer will help that void long term, but those close the book on him making an impact sooner rather than later.

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Kennard and Desmond Bane have a highly competitive 3-point shooting competition after most practices. They go around the entire 3-point line shooting shots and keep tabs on who has more wins at the end of the season. A new addition to the competition is here now.

“He can shoot, man” Kennard said. “He really can. I think he’ll be really close in our shooting competitions. Well let him get in a couple and see how he can hang.”

Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com . Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Rookie Cam Spencer is drawing early praise from Memphis Grizzlies teammates, scouts