Closer to getting his big chance
Spencer signs 2-way deal with Warriors
Pat Spencer enrolled at Northwestern University as a graduate student after his lacrosse career at Loyola Maryland was complete.
Spencer wanted to play big-time college basketball in the Big Ten Conference and hopefully jumpstart his lifelong dream of playing in the NBA.
He then bet on himself again when he elected to play professional basketball in the G League instead of joining the Premier Lacrosse League. That gamble paid dividends Wednesday, when the Golden State Warriors announced that the 27-year-old Spencer had been signed to a two-way contract.
The Athletic first reported the news about Spencer, who has been a member of Santa Cruz Warriors, Golden State’s G League affiliate. The 6-foot-3 point guard is averaging 15.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game for Santa Cruz this season. He is shooting 49.5% from the field and 43.1% from 3-point range.
Players signed to two-way contracts are paid one salary for playing in both the NBA and G League. Only players with three or fewer years of NBA service are eligible for two-way contracts.
Responding to a text from The Capital seeking comment, Spencer was hopeful he would be activated by the Warriors at some point in early March. He expressed appreciation for the unwavering support of family.
“I’m just getting started,” Spencer wrote in a text. “I don’t feel like I’ve necessarily made it. It’s just another step in the right direction. I’m fired up to be part of a great organization with great people.”
Spencer wishes his grandparents, George and Martha Robey, would have lived to see his NBA debut. His mother’s parents both died in the past year.
“I want to give a shout out to Pop and Gram, who I lost this year,” Spencer said. “They, along with my family and so many other great people, have made all of this possible.”
Golden State recently traded point guard Cory Joseph to the Indiana Pacers and replaced him on the NBA roster with Lester Quinones. The Warriors converted Quinones from a two-way contract to a standard NBA contract.
That left an opening to add a player on a two-way contract, and the Warriors chose to promote Spencer, a Davidsonville native who prepped at Boys’ Latin.
“It’s great the Warriors thought enough of Patrick’s potential to offer this opportunity,” Bruce Spencer said of his son. “He’ll probably spend more time down with Santa Cruz for development purposes, but the two-way contract gives him a chance to experience life in the NBA and learn.”
Should Spencer appear in a game with Golden State, led by superstar Stephen Curry and coach Steve Kerr, he would become the second Loyola Maryland player currently active in the NBA. Forward Santi Aldama, who was a first-round draft pick coming out of college in 2021, plays for the Memphis Grizzlies.
Spencer would also become the third Anne Arundel County native currently in the NBA.
Former Archbishop Spalding star Cam Whitmore is in his rookie season with the Houston Rockets after being picked 20th overall in the draft, while North County High graduate Trevelin Queen plays for the Orlando Magic.
Spencer averaged 10.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists in his lone season at Northwestern. His professional career began with the Hamburg Towers of the Basketball Bundesliga in Germany.
Spencer spent the 2021-22 season with the Capital City Go Go, the G League affiliate of the Washington Wizards. He has been with the Santa Cruz Warriors for the past two seasons.
Spencer is the all-time leading scorer and most decorated player in Loyola men’s lacrosse history. He is the school’s only recipient of the Tewaaraton Award as the nation’s best player.
He also received the Lt. Raymond J. Enners Award as Most Outstanding Player in Division I from the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association.
Spencer is NCAA Division I all-time leader with 231 career assists and ranks second with 380 total points. He set Loyola and Patriot League records in both categories as well. He is the only player in Patriot League history to earn Offensive Player of the Year all four seasons.
Spencer was selected first overall in the Premier Lacrosse League’s inaugural college draft in 2019. He never signed with Archers Lacrosse Club (now Utah Archers) and has never played pro lacrosse.
It’s been a banner year for the Spencer family too.
Cam Spencer, who also played at Boys’ Latin and Loyola Maryland, is currently the starting shooting guard and second-leading scorer for the top-ranked Connecticut men’s basketball team.
Cam, who is four years younger than Pat, is averaging 14.8 points and 4.6 rebounds for the Huskies. He leads the team in steals (40) and ranks second in assists (91).