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But here’s where it gets controversial: some readers may question whether a lacrosse star can truly become an NBA player. And this is the part most people miss: the journey is as much about mindset and adaptability as it is about talent.
How former lacrosse standout Pat Spencer’s relentless drive propelled him from Evanston to the NBA
When Pat Spencer (SPS ’20) stepped onto Welsh-Ryan Arena floors in 2019, he was a graduate student with no prior college basketball experience. Today, he’s a guard for the Golden State Warriors, enjoying a breakout season that has many calling him a rising star in the league.
Spencer was already renowned in lacrosse circles as Loyola University Maryland’s standout who many regard as one of the greatest players in the sport’s history. He earned the Tewaaraton Award, lacrosse’s top honor, and was selected first overall in the inaugural 2019 Premier Lacrosse League Draft. Yet he declined the lacrosse route to chase a basketball dream. From 2016 to 2019, he powered the Greyhounds—helping them reach the NCAA semifinals as a freshman and advancing to two more quarterfinal appearances in the following years. After turning pro in lacrosse, he chose to rewrite his career path.
Spencer redirected his focus toward basketball, and Northwestern gave him an opportunity. Since joining, he has persevered and earned his first standard NBA contract on February 7.
“He’s a dog,” Stephen Curry of the Warriors told The Daily. “Find me anyone else who possesses the self-confidence to do what he’s done.”
Sports are about winning
Even though Spencer wouldn’t have his name stitched onto a Northwestern basketball jersey until after a long lacrosse career, his path to NU’s basketball program actually began more than two decades earlier.
His father, Bruce Spencer, has been an enduring basketball devotee since his own youth, and his mother, Donna Spencer, played high school ball and remained a lifelong fan. Pat’s birth made basketball an inescapable part of his upbringing, with his father personally coaching him until age 11. Pat’s younger brothers, Cam and Will, would receive the same coaching. Cam Spencer would later continue his career in the NBA with the Memphis Grizzlies.
“We’ve always been basketball junkies,” Bruce Spencer notes.
Their driveway was a neighborhood hub for practice and competition, yet their family approach was anything but casual.
“If you came to our house, you were in a game with a winner’s mindset,” Bruce explains. His drive is laser-focused: he describes himself as an ultra-competitive person who won’t even play church volleyball because, in his view, sports exist to be won.
That competitiveness rubbed off on Pat and his brothers. Pat himself credits his family’s mindset as foundational to his success, citing family members who embodied a similar relentless drive as models.
As a kid, Pat filled his calendar with multiple sports, chasing opportunities to compete. There were seasons when he was on as many as three different teams simultaneously. His parents juggled schedules to keep him in as many practices as possible, balancing the pull of each sport with a shared goal: develop a fierce competitive edge.
“I’ve always known he’s been that ferocious, ‘I want to win’ kid,” Donna recalls. “We tried to temper it when he was younger, but I think it’s part of who he is.”
From multiple sports to two focused pursuits
By high school, Pat’s commitments had narrowed to lacrosse and basketball. As a freshman, at 5’4” and 120 pounds, he faced a size disadvantage on the basketball court and spent time on junior varsity through his sophomore year. Lacrosse, by contrast, was more forgiving of his size, and his early lacrosse performance helped him shine in summer programs.
As expectations to commit to a college or sport mounted during his junior year, Pat faced a difficult choice. The “wild west” era of recruiting—when young talents signed letters to schools before they could even spell the programs’ names—left him with slim options for basketball scholarships. His love for basketball remained, but the odds of a traditional college basketball path were slim. Nevertheless, Loyola Maryland’s lacrosse coach Charley Toomey saw his potential and kept a spot open for him, keeping him close to home where family support could rally behind him.
After visits and conversations, Spencer joined Loyola Maryland. His time there catalyzed his ascent in lacrosse, culminating in a conference title with his varsity team by his junior year. He also progressed on the basketball court, drawing attention from scouts who came to watch his lacrosse teammates. A notable moment involved a teammate, Kodye Pugh, who drew scouts’ attention; but Pat’s presence proved equally compelling, with his coach acknowledging that recruiters frequently asked about him and his basketball commitment.
A lacrosse legend in the making
Spencer’s Loyola Maryland debut in September 2015 immediately signaled his star potential. In his first game against Virginia, he tallied a goal and an assist within seven minutes, and by season’s end, coaches and peers alike recognized him as one of the nation’s best players. His competitive fire was a defining trait—an intensity that Toomey described as unrivaled, noting that Spencer’s drive extended beyond lacrosse into every facet of life.
Even in the off-season, basketball drew him more than lacrosse. He’d skip lacrosse but play hoops with gusto, often eating lunch at Loyola’s basketball practice before returning to the lacrosse field. By the end of his time at Loyola, Spencer had set the NCAA Division I all-time assists record, ranked second in points, earned multiple Tewaaraton Award nominations, and become widely acclaimed as lacrosse’s greatest player.
Pivot to Northwestern and the pro dream
Drafted first in the 2019 Premier Lacrosse League Draft, Spencer still felt drawn to basketball. He pursued the sport with determination, accepting a scholarship from Northwestern head coach Chris Collins—becoming a graduate guard on the Wildcats’ roster.
His transition included a summer in Evanston and a European tour with the team, after which he focused on refining his game and body. He found that many skills translated across sports: concepts like pick-and-rolls, fast breaks, and man-to-man defense carried over from lacrosse’s demands for agility, timing, and spatial awareness.
Spencer’s presence energized the Northwestern women’s lacrosse squad as well, with coach Kelly Amonte Hiller praising the lacrosse star for his relatable status and impact on the wider program.
Family support stayed unwavering; Cam Spencer’s own lacrosse career in Loyola Maryland coincided with their parents’ enthusiasm for seeing Pat excel in Big Ten basketball. The family’s sentiment was clear: Big Ten venues offered a larger-stage experience than the Patriot League, fueling their excitement as Pat took the court at Northwestern.
In his lone season with the Wildcats, Spencer started 29 of 31 games, averaging 10.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists on 43.6% shooting. Although the team finished 8-23, he remained committed and used the period to leave a lasting imprint on teammates and coaches. Collins has recalled that Spencer’s presence helped shape younger players, notably Boo Buie, who would later become NU’s all-time leading scorer and guide the program to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances.
The road to the NBA and beyond
Despite a solid year at Northwestern, the NBA remained the ultimate objective for Spencer. Collins admitted that another year at Evanston might have sharpened his game further, yet he never doubted Spencer’s ability to pursue his dream when conditions aligned.
After earning his master’s degree in sports administration and going undrafted, Spencer spent time with Hamburg Towers in Germany before returning to the U.S. to train and refine his game. His focus on shooting improved dramatically—from 23.5% three-point shooting at Northwestern to over 40% in the NBA, a testament to his work ethic and adaptation.
In 2021, he joined the Capital City Go-Go, the Wizards’ G League affiliate, followed by a stint with the Warriors’ G League affiliate. His consistent improvement culminated in a two-way NBA contract with the Golden State Warriors in February 2024, marking a major milestone in a journey defined by relentless pursuit.
Season milestones and current status
This season has been particularly pivotal. With Curry sidelined by injuries, Spencer has earned meaningful minutes and delivered double-digit scoring 11 times, with as many as 13 assists in a single game. His performance helped him secure a full NBA contract, and his tenacity has earned respect from teammates and coaches alike. Curry has publicly acknowledged Spencer’s fearlessness and resolve, underscoring the value of his relentless drive.
Spencer’s rise has also made him a media favorite, highlighted by a breakdown of his competition with his brother Cam and by his emphatic post-shot celebrations. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has praised Spencer, calling him the player who embodies that same aggressive, go-for-broke mentality.
Personal philosophy and future goals
Spencer emphasizes that material possessions do not define him. He values relationships, hard work, family, and the ability to watch his brother play in the NBA as sources of fulfillment. He remains focused on winning championships—the one major accolade still eluding him since his high school days—and believes the journey itself has value beyond any trophy.
If you’re curious about Northwestern’s current cohort of alumni in professional basketball, Spencer stands alongside peers like Pete Nance and Brooks Barnhizer as players who reached the NBA from the Wildcats. Collins, who has spent more than 25 years coaching the sport, considers Spencer’s ascent to be among his most remarkable experiences, a sentiment he shared with the Chicago Tribune.
Pat Spencer’s story began as a lacrosse legend in Baltimore and ended up reshaping how one elite athlete tests his limits across sports. It’s a narrative about audacious ambition, strategic adaptation, and the surprising ways passion can redraw the boundaries of what seems possible.
