Why Rutgers transfer Cam Spencer chose UConn men's basketball

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Cam Spencer #10 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights dribbles against the Michigan Wolverines during the second round of the Big Ten Tournament at United Center on March 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois.

PISCATAWAY, NJ - MARCH 14: Cam Spencer #10 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in action against the Hofstra Pride during a first round NIT tournament game at Jersey Mike's Arena on March 14, 2023 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Hofstra defeated Rutgers 88-86. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

UConn guard Cam Spencer, who transferred from Rutgers.

All it took was one visit to Storrs on Monday and Tuesday, sitting in on the UConn men's basketball team's initial summer workouts and hanging out with Donovan Clingan to convince Cam Spencer to be a Husky.

"It all started with Coach Hurley and the staff," said Spencer, who transferred from Rutgers for his final season of college ball. "I think we're very like-minded people, very competitive and blue-collar kind of guys. That was the main gist of it. Obviously, they've had great success with the program, so being part of that winning culture is definitely something I wanted to be a part of."

Make no mistake, Spencer knows exactly what he's here for. He's a 40.5% 3-point shooter over his three years at Loyola (Md.) and one at Rutgers, including 43.4% last season with the Scarlet Knights in the Big Ten.

And UConn just lost three of its best perimeter shooters (Jordan Hawkins, Joey Calcaterra and Nahiem Alleyne) to the NBA Draft, graduation and transfer, respectively.

"Losing Jordan, who is such a great shooter, they need somebody to kind of jump in for him," Spencer said. "I think with my shooting ability, I can kind of fulfill some of the roles that he played for the team. I want to help the team in any way that I can, but my shooting and scoring were definitely things that (Hurley) is looking for from me."

Still, that's not all Spencer, a 6-foot-4 guard, brings to the table.

"I pride myself on being a two-way player," he said. "I want to get after it on the defensive end. I think I have some good experience, this being my fifth year in college basketball. Just teaching some of the defensive principles to the young guys, and bringing some of my leadership qualities from my experience in college basketball."

During his UConn visit, Spencer really hit it off with 7-2 rising sophomore Donovan Clingan.

"He'll be a very easy player to play with," Spencer said. "I love his game, and can't wait to get on the floor with him."

Spencer comes from good athletic stock. His older brother Pat was a star lacrosse player at Loyola (Md.) who decided to play basketball his final season of eligibility at Northwestern. He averaged 10.4 points per game in 2019-20 and is now with the Santa Cruz Warriors, G-League affiliate of Golden State.

Cam Spencer, a Davidsonville, Md. native, shot 43.6% from 3 as a freshman at Loyola and 46.7% (in just five games) as a sophomore. In 2021-22, that slipped to 35.3%, though he still averaged 18.9 points per game.

"I got off to a bad start that year, just took some bad ones, maybe some inefficient shots that I probably shouldn't have taken," he recalled. "I had to fight my way back. There's ups and downs in shooting. I believe in myself as a shooter. I don't look at the percentages much, I just think if it's a good shot I'm going to take it. But I pride myself on my shooting."

He certainly rebounded last season with Rutgers, leading the team not only in 3-point shooting but in scoring, as well. 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 also has a knack for clutch shots. He hit a game-winning 3-pointer against top-ranked Purdue last season, as well as a go-ahead try on the road against Northwestern.

So, why move on from Rutgers and coach Steve Pikiell?

"With one year left, I want to play at the highest level professionally," Spencer said. "UConn's exposure is definitely very big and helpful for my career. Playing for Coach Hurley is something that I really look forward to. But I loved Rutgers and loved my time there. Coach Pikiell is great. I'm just proud to move on now. I'm excited for this year."

Rutgers failed to make the NCAA Tournament last season and lost in the first round of the NIT. Now, Cam Spencer is playing for the defending national champions.

"It feels great. Nothing better than having the expectations to go do it again. So, I'm really excited to be a part of their winning culture and bring some winning mentalities from myself to the team."

"We want to win another one," he added. "That's the expectation, so I'm going to give everything I can to get it done."

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