UConn picks up scoring threat Spencer from Rutgers

He may not boast a catchy nickname like “Joey California,” but the UConn men’s basketball team’s newest transfer portal addition may have a far bigger impact.

Cam Spencer, a 6-foot-4 guard who graduated from Rutgers this spring, has committed to the Huskies as a much-needed perimeter threat.

Spencer shot 43.4% from 3point range last season and led the Scarlet Knights in scoring (13.2 points per game) in his first season with the program. He had spent his first three seasons at Loyola (Maryland), where he averaged 18.9 ppg as a junior in 2021-22.

A Davidsonville, Maryland native, Spencer has one final season of eligibility. He entered the transfer portal about a week after the 60-day window closed last month, able to do so because he is a graduate.

While Joey Calcaterra (the aforementioned “Joey California”) was a big boost to the national-champion Huskies this past season in his lone season as a grad transfer from San Diego, Spencer projects to be an even bigger addition. The Huskies lost a host of 3-point shooting from their national-title team, including possible NBA Draft lottery pick Jordan Hawkins and Calcaterra. But with the addition of Spencer, along with the returns of Tristen Newton and Alex Karaban and possible contributions from some of the program’s highlyranked recruiting class, UConn should boast a formidable perimeter presence again.

Spencer also has a knack for clutch shots. He hit a gamewinning 3-pointer against topranked Purdue last season, as well as a go-ahead try on the road against Northwestern. He hit more 3-pointers (72) than any Rutgers player since Mike Rosario hit 74 in 2008-09, and his 43.4% clip was the highest of any Scarlet Knight player in a decade.

Spencer is a nice coupe for UConn, swiping him from under former UConn player and assistant coach Steve Pikiell’s nose. Of course, Pikiell has a top-notch shooter of his own, from Connecticut, joining his program this season in freshman Gavin Griffiths of Simsbury.

Spencer becomes the Huskies’ 12th scholarship player for 2023-24.

UConn still has one open slot available, but coach Dan Hurley has said he didn’t want to go to 13 scholarships for this season.

Rich Schultz/Getty Images Cam Spencer, a 6-foot-4 guard who graduated from Rutgers has committed to the Huskies as a much-needed perimeter threat.