Pat Spencer is shining with the Warriors in Stephen Curry’s absence. You can feel the fire in his game – the fearlessness, the confidence, that intangible spark only elite athletes carry. That energy isn’t new for him. Before basketball, Pat Spencer was already dominating another sport at an elite level: lacrosse.
Here’s what you should know about his incredible journey.
Spencer grew up in Davidsonville, Maryland, and lacrosse was his first love. He started playing as a kid, quickly showing a rare combination of vision, strength, and creativity. By the time he reached high school at Boys’ Latin, he was already recognized as one of the top recruits in the country.
At Loyola University Maryland, Spencer became nothing short of a phenom.
He didn’t just put up numbers – he rewrote the book.
• He finished as the all-time assist leader in the Patriot League.
• He became one of the most decorated players in NCAA lacrosse history.
• He won the Tewaaraton Award (the lacrosse equivalent of the Heisman Trophy).
• Coaches and analysts consistently ranked him among the best college players of the modern era.
• PLL teams and top European clubs viewed him as a potential franchise cornerstone had he stayed in lacrosse.
In simple terms: he had superstar potential in that sport. Some believe he could’ve become one of the best attackmen of his generation professionally.
The Unexpected Transition
After graduating, Spencer did something almost unheard of: he pivoted.
He decided to pursue basketball – a sport he had barely played competitively since high school.
He joined Northwestern for a graduate year, learned the sport all over again, and surprised everyone by becoming an immediate contributor in the Big Ten. His strength, footwork, court vision, and competitiveness translated beautifully.
That gamble led him to the G League, summer league opportunities, and eventually the Golden State Warriors. Now, when he checks into games, you see flashes of that same elite mentality he had on the lacrosse field. He doesn’t play scared. He doesn’t hesitate. He competes like someone who has been elite before… just in a different universe.
An Athlete Built for the Moment
Watching him today, it’s clear that Pat Spencer didn’t “come out of nowhere” – he simply carried his excellence mentality from one sport to another.
Question for You
Which other athletes who dominated in one sport before switching to another impressed you the most?
Share your pick in the comments.
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