The Memphis Grizzlies didn’t set out to find the next Ja Morant. But they may have stumbled onto something just as valuable-stability. And in a season filled with uncertainty, that might be the most important piece of all.
Cam Spencer’s evolution from a spot-up shooter to a true floor general hasn’t been loud, but it’s been loud enough for those paying attention. Since December 1, when head coach Tuomas Iisalo handed him the keys to the offense, the 25-year-old UConn product has quietly become one of the most efficient point guards in the league.
He’s averaging 13.7 points, 7.8 assists, and 3.6 rebounds, while shooting a blistering 48.5% from the field and 45.7% from deep. Those are no-fluke numbers.
That’s a player stepping into a bigger role and delivering.
And here’s where it gets even more interesting: Spencer is dishing out more assists per game than Morant (7.8 to 7.5), while turning the ball over far less (1.8 to 3.2). He’s doing it on fewer shot attempts, too-13.7 per game compared to Morant’s 21.2-while playing roughly the same minutes.
That’s not just efficiency, that’s control. That’s a player who understands tempo, reads defenses, and knows when to pick his spots.
This isn’t a case of inflated stats against bottom-feeders, either. Spencer has been averaging 8.5 assists per game in 2026, and six of those seven contests came against playoff-caliber teams. He’s not padding numbers-he’s producing under pressure.
And it didn’t happen by accident.
According to Iisalo, the transformation started back in May. That’s when Spencer committed to a summer of focused training-not just on his shot, which has always been a strength, but on becoming a playmaker. The Grizzlies coaching staff saw something more in him: a player who could use his elite shooting gravity to bend defenses, force rotations, and create opportunities for others.
“We set out with the clear objective of leveraging that shot even more,” Iisalo explained. “Instead of being just a catch-and-shoot guy, we wanted him to become someone who can pull up out of pick-and-rolls. That forces defenses to play him differently.”
And that’s exactly what’s happening. Defenses now have to make tough choices: stay home and risk him firing away, or chase him over screens and open up passing lanes. Either way, Spencer’s making them pay.
The shift hasn’t just been on offense. Spencer’s taken on tougher defensive assignments, too.
He’s not locking up All-Stars, but he’s holding his own-enough to make the position switch viable. That’s what player development looks like in real time: not perfection, but consistent growth in the areas that matter.
Behind the scenes, the Grizzlies front office deserves credit for seeing this coming. With Scotty Pippen Jr. likely out for the season and Morant’s future uncertain, Memphis didn’t panic.
They didn’t chase a trade or overpay for a veteran. Instead, they turned inward and bet on their own infrastructure.
They saw something in Spencer that others overlooked-and they built around it.
Part of that belief came from Spencer’s college pedigree. He won two national titles at UConn, playing in a system that emphasized structure, spacing, and smart decision-making.
He wasn’t the star, but he played winning basketball. The question was always whether he could scale that up to the NBA level.
We’re starting to get our answer.
His assist-to-turnover ratio over the past six weeks is north of 4-to-1-an elite number for any point guard, let alone one who wasn’t even playing the position full-time a few months ago. He’s not forcing bad passes or trying to play hero ball. He’s making the right reads, trusting the system, and letting the game come to him.
The Grizzlies currently sit in the final Play-In spot, and given the injuries and off-court drama they’ve endured, that’s no small feat. It speaks to the depth of the roster and the clarity of Iisalo’s vision. Spencer’s emergence gives Memphis something it desperately needed: flexibility.
If Morant returns and recommits to the franchise, the Grizzlies have a high-level backup who can run the second unit with poise. If Morant moves on, they’ve already got a capable starter in place-someone who knows the system, understands the personnel, and has earned the locker room’s trust.
Either way, Cam Spencer’s rise is one of the most compelling storylines of the season. It’s a case study in what happens when talent, coaching, and opportunity align.
And it’s a reminder that sometimes, the best solutions don’t come from splashy trades or big-name acquisitions. Sometimes, they come from within.