Cam Spencer Is Earning His Respect - And the Grizzlies Are Better for It
Walk into any opposing locker room these days, and one name keeps popping up on the scouting report: Cam Spencer. That’s no accident.
The Memphis Grizzlies’ second-round gem is turning heads across the league, and it’s not just because of his jumper. It’s the work behind it - the early mornings, the empty gyms, the grind that doesn’t show up in the box score - that’s finally paying off.
For a guy taken 53rd overall, that kind of recognition means something. It’s not just about proving he belongs - it’s about proving he can lead. And right now, Spencer is doing just that.
“It means a lot. It’s hard work paying off.
I’m not that surprised, but it’s exciting,” Spencer said. “It’s cool to have that respect from other teams, when they are really prepping for you.
As a competitor, you want to find a way to beat that scout, hit a few big shots, and help the team win any way I can.”
That mindset? It’s exactly what Memphis needs as they navigate a season that’s been anything but smooth.
The Grizzlies have dealt with injuries, roster shakeups, and growing pains, but Spencer’s rise is one of the clear bright spots. He’s not just surviving - he’s thriving.
Through it all, Spencer has become a steady hand for Memphis. He’s averaging 11.8 points and 5.6 assists while shooting a scorching 45.3% from three.
That’s not just elite - that’s top-five in the league. And it’s not coming from the corner as a spot-up specialist.
Spencer has been asked to do more: run the offense, initiate in the pick-and-roll, and make reads under pressure. That’s a big leap for any player, let alone a rookie with modest draft-day expectations.
And yet, he’s handling it like a vet.
Since Thanksgiving, Spencer has recorded four or more assists in all but three games - a sign of his growing comfort as a playmaker. In seven of his last 17 outings, he’s dished out eight or more dimes.
That’s not just solid - that’s starter-level production. Just ask Tuomas Iisalo, who watched Spencer drop 21 points, 11 assists, and five boards in a game against the Pelicans.
That kind of performance doesn’t happen by accident.
It’s the result of hours - over a thousand, by Spencer’s count - spent studying film, working on counters, and preparing for the punches that come with an NBA season. Because as Mike Tyson once said, everyone has a plan until they get hit in the mouth.
Spencer’s plan? Be ready for anything.
“It’s very fun, and it shows if you’re a well-rounded basketball player,” Spencer said. “That’s when you’ll have counters for whatever defensive scheme they send your way. They’ll try to mix it up, but if you’re a well-balanced player, you’ll show you can adapt and attack any scheme they have coming.”
That adaptability has become a calling card. Whether it’s knocking down catch-and-shoot threes, navigating pick-and-rolls, or making the extra pass, Spencer’s game is built on reading the floor and reacting in real time. And while the Grizzlies’ season may be headed for the lottery, Spencer’s development is giving Memphis a foundational piece to build around - both on and off the court.
Because it’s not just what he’s doing between the lines. Off the court, Spencer and his brothers, Pat and Will, are using their platform to give back.
Before training camp, they hosted charity poker and golf events to raise money for veterans battling PTSD. It’s a reminder that Spencer’s leadership extends beyond the hardwood.
Still, basketball remains the heartbeat. And even as the season winds down, the mission hasn’t changed: keep growing, keep competing, keep earning that respect.
“Faith and family are two things that definitely mean a lot to me,” Spencer said. “I wouldn’t be here without my family, all the people who helped me get here.”
That foundation is what keeps him grounded - through the cold stretches, the tough losses, and the nightly grind of an 82-game season. It’s also what fuels his belief that basketball can be a unifier, a way to bring people together regardless of background or belief.
“Growing up, we were a Christian family, but whatever you believe,” Spencer said, “I think it’s important to have faith in something. I think the great thing about sports, especially basketball, is that it brings people from all over the world together to share the same love of competing, the passion, and love of the game. It’s a way to show unity on the court.”
So no, he might not be winning any battles for the locker room AUX cord - country music doesn’t exactly dominate NBA playlists - but when it comes to controlling the game, Spencer’s voice is loud and clear. He’s not just a shooter, not just a feel-good story. He’s becoming a true floor general - a player who can organize, adapt, and lead.
And for a Grizzlies team trying to find its identity in a transitional year, that kind of presence is invaluable. The season may not end in a playoff berth, but it’s already delivered something just as important: the emergence of a player who looks like he belongs in the league for a long, long time.
Cam Spencer’s name is circled now. And if he keeps this up, it won’t be coming off anytime soon.