2023 Recruiting: Cam Spencer

[Deleted at users request]

Maybe, just maybe, that’s because if they weren’t ready to contribute as true frosh they didn’t play a lot? See, e.g., Marcus Williams, Jeff Adrien and Donny Marshall.

I’m not old enough for Donny but the rest are terrible examples.

Marcus Williams was averaging 4 assists a game his freshman year in 14 minutes on a championship team before being suspended for academic reasons.

If you think Jeff Adrien wasn’t a big contributor to 2006 then you just have a bad memory there. He was a soldier from day 1 and first off the bench for Boone and Hilton. He was over ready to play.

These examples are going to be hard to find because there almost are none. This board has created this myth based on just 2021.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I’m not old enough for Donny but the rest are terrible examples.

Marcus Williams was averaging 4 assists a game his freshman year in 14 minutes on a championship team before being suspended for academic reasons.

If you think Jeff Adrien wasn’t a big contributor to 2006 then you just have a bad memory there. He was a soldier from day 1 and first off the bench for Boone and Hilton. He was over ready to play.

These examples are going to be hard to find because there almost are none. This board has created this myth based on just 2021.

The word you keep using is “bench”. I don’t doubt some of these guys will be contributing off the bench. Starters are rare. Right now we are missing a starting SF. It’s a need.

 

[husky429]

I also don’t think we’re giving this guy enough credit…..

Big question on offense will be how much his 3pt% and consistency have improved. He should be a low TO guy who can put pressure on the rim from day 1. With Newton, Karaban and Castle, he won't be expected to be a great passer (and isn't).

That all hinges on adjusting on defense. But it's hard for me to imagine he won't eventually coming from Brewster amd with that length/athleticism.

 

[Deleted at users request]

The word you keep using is “bench”. I don’t doubt some of these guys will be contributing off the bench. Starters are rare. Right now we are missing a starting SF. It’s a need.

I can understand that more. I don’t agree but can understand it more rather than guys won’t be ready.

A 6’7 do it all athlete like Jayden Ross can be better than a 6’4 in unathletic Cam Spencer in March if you let him.

Remember when we wanted to bring in Landers Nolley last year for experience at the 4 and had to settle for freshman Alex Karaban instead?

 

[TheHorde]

I’m not old enough for Donny but the rest are terrible examples.

Marcus Williams was averaging 4 assists a game his freshman year in 14 minutes on a championship team before being suspended for academic reasons.

If you think Jeff Adrien wasn’t a big contributor to 2006 then you just have a bad memory there. He was a soldier from day 1 and first off the bench for Boone and Hilton. He was over ready to play.

These examples are going to be hard to find because there almost are none. This board has created this myth based on just 2021.

Scott Burrell was ready as a freshman. Donyell Marshall too. Josh Boone and Charlie Villanueva also. Obviously no freshman will be as ready as they will be as sophomores or juniors.

 

[CL82]

[Reads entire thread. Sees that there is no reference of eating steak.]

 

[Chin Diesel]

Hurley seems to like the 8 man rotation.

Last year during the Big East season it was the starting 5, Diarra, Alleyne, and Clingan with Joey getting minutes cut.

During the tournament Joey took Diara’s minutes.

As is, the rotation is Castle, Newton, Ross/Stewart, Karaban, and Clingan. With the extra 2 being Diarra/Ball, Samson/Singare.

It's 10 healthy bodies, with only needing 8 for any particular game depending on match ups.

If there is foul trouble youbuse all 10 as needed.

What we do all know is the myriad of possibilities and events yet uknown alwayseans the rotation works itself out by Feb-Apr.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I can understand that more. I don’t agree but can understand it more rather than guys won’t be ready.

A 6’7 do it all athlete like Jayden Ross can be better than a 6’4 in unathletic Cam Spencer in March if you let him.

Remember when we wanted to bring in Landers Nolley last year for experience at the 4 and had to settle for freshman Alex Karaban instead?

The point really is that it's a risk. We have two guys who can play the 3 and both are freshmen. Sometimes you get lucky, like Alex (who did have an extra 1/2 season in the program). Sometimes you get Sid Wilson, who was highly regarded and never panned out. If one of the freshmen takes the job mid-season, that's fantastic. Meanwhile we need some experience on the wing. If not Spencer, then somebody who we know is a D1 college player.

 

[Chin Diesel]

I mean yeah, that kind of shows it’s not as necessary. Solo will 100% be a better shooter and all around scorer than Andre too. Lol

What this team may lack in shooting from last year can make up for with their ability to dribble drive and penetrate to create their own shots.

Ball isn't know as a shooter, you even said he is more known as a scorer, and he is a Freshman. I rather have a proven upper classmen shooter to add to the starting lineup.

Seems like a sucker bet that Ball ends up with a better 3pt FG% than Andre did.

Seems like it.

But Ball isn't a knock down shooter, his minutes will vary and his offensive opportinities will be inconsistent as the season gets underway.

I'll go on a limb and go with Ball has more made 3's as a frosh than Andre did last season.

 

[Deleted at users request]

The point really is that it's a risk. We have two guys who can play the 3 and both are freshmen. Sometimes you get lucky, like Alex (who did have an extra 1/2 season in the program). Sometimes you get Sid Wilson, who was highly regarded and never panned out. If one of the freshmen takes the job mid-season, that's fantastic. Meanwhile we need some experience on the wing. If not Spencer, then somebody who we know is a D1 college player.

Come on bruh Sid Wilson was exactly who we thought he was. A very raw athlete with no skills. Lol

I kind of hope we get to put this theory to the test.

Seems like a sucker bet that Ball ends up with a better 3pt FG% than Andre did.

Seems like it.

But Ball isn't a knock down shooter, his minutes will vary and his offensive opportinities will be inconsistent as the season gets underway.

I'll go on a limb and go with Ball has more made 3's as a frosh than Andre did last season.

My prediction if we don’t bring in another guard is that Ball will win that backup guard role over Diarra eventually and be Joey C in a different way as a microwave off the bench. Maybe similar to Boatright his freshman year.

I think having both Alex and Donovan there can be huge for helping the freshman get ready from two guys who did it themselves and were successful doing so. Especially with someone as smart and hardworking as Alex leading the way.

 

[KeyWestUC]

I also don’t think we’re giving this guy enough credit…..

Love all of the right handed dunks!

 

[Psolo12]

I also don’t think we’re giving this guy enough credit…..

I did not realize his highlight tape was this nasty...oh my god

 

[krinklecut]

Great thread about Cam Spencer

 

[runner11]

I did not realize his highlight tape was this nasty...oh my god

There is so much surrounding the program, from realignment to draft decisions to basking in the shade of ‘ship number 5 that I forget how incredible our incoming class is.

I remember being incredibly hyped for Bouk to make his debut. We currently have 4 incoming recruits that at least 1 service see as better prospects than Bouk. Including Solo, who is a compete stud.

 

[TheHorde]

Shabazz Napier was also pretty darn good as a freshman.

 

[husky429]

There is so much surrounding the program, from realignment to draft decisions to basking in the shade of ‘ship number 5 that I forget how incredible our incoming class is.

I remember being incredibly hyped for Bouk to make his debut. We currently have 4 incoming recruits that at least 1 service see as better prospects than Bouk. Including Solo, who is a compete stud.

I think we can reasonably say that Bouk was way, way underrated because of the injury junior year. I'm sure a couplefew of these guys will be strong contributors over their college career, but even one of them being as good a college player as Bouk is probably <50%.

Castle will be a better pro.

 

[Com'rGordon]

Does anybody actually have any information on if we're getting Cam Spencer

 

[Fatroony5]

I think we can reasonably say that Bouk was way, way underrated because of the injury junior year. I'm sure a couplefew of these guys will be strong contributors over their college career, but even one of them being as good a college player as Bouk is probably <50%.

Castle will be a better pro.

I remember seeing Bouk in Charleston as a freshmen and immediately thinking: he just looks different out there. So talented, the way he glided around the court & his feel for the game was just on another level than what we had seen for years prior, even as a raw, underdeveloped freshman. Hoping we see some of the freshmen make an impact, but I’ll feel a lot better if we have a guy like Spencer starting and Ball/Ross are eased into things off the bench.

 

[Chin Diesel]

I did not realize his highlight tape was this nasty...oh my god

The dunks looked nice but most of them don't immediately translate to CBB. Defenders won't give him 15' of running room to the rim. The catch and shoot 3's though? That's something that can translate right away.

 

[Psolo12]

The dunks looked nice but most of them don't immediately translate to CBB. Defenders won't give him 15' of running room to the rim. The catch and shoot 3's though? That's something that can translate right away.

His shooting form is what I was most impressed with. Obviously won't be putting dudes on a poster in CBB like the video, but his athleticism is still insane. Big time slash potential.

 

[TheHorde]

The dunks looked nice but most of them don't immediately translate to CBB. Defenders won't give him 15' of running room to the rim. The catch and shoot 3's though? That's something that can translate right away.

As can his defense and athleticism in running dudes off the three point line and harassing passing lanes.

 

[runner11]

I think we can reasonably say that Bouk was way, way underrated because of the injury junior year. I'm sure a couplefew of these guys will be strong contributors over their college career, but even one of them being as good a college player as Bouk is probably <50%.

Castle will be a better pro.

I think there is a good chance that several have better UConn careers but I do agree re: pure talent. Bouk also does not seem like a good kid and who knows how he effected the team. The star recruit driving drunk and then crashing and abandoning his car (and then kinda obviously being covered up?) is not exactly the example we want set for the rest of the roster.

 

[hardcorehusky]

It's 10 healthy bodies, with only needing 8 for any particular game depending on match ups.

If there is foul trouble youbuse all 10 as needed.

What we do all know is the myriad of possibilities and events yet uknown alwayseans the rotation works itself out by Feb-Apr.

All it takes is an injury and all of a sudden if you don't have the depth, you have a problem.

 

[3rdbass]

All it takes is an injury and all of a sudden if you don't have the depth, you have a problem.

Yep I agree. Let's bring in 2 transfer portal shooters and I will feel confident about the team.

 

[Son of Robert]

I also don’t think we’re giving this guy enough credit…..

Wow, Solo looks ready to play. He has a great sense for open space on the court, how to instinctively navigate it, or when it's closing up and he needs to pull up. Not afraid of contact, tough player, a strong leaper with long arms, loves to dunk, and wait for it, he is deceptively quick. Staff will turn Solo into a lockdown defender. This guy is getting minutes.

 

[3rdbass]

Wow, Solo looks ready to play. He has a great sense for open space on the court, how to instinctively navigate it, or when it's closing up and he needs to pull up. Not afraid of contact, tough player, a strong leaper with long arms, loves to dunk, and wait for it, he is deceptively quick. Staff will turn Solo into a lockdown defender. This guy is getting minutes.

lol. He is a big time athlete. He super quick and fast. More like a left handed Jerome Dyson.

 

[Fatroony5]

Yep I agree. Let's bring in 2 transfer portal shooters and I will feel confident about the team.

From what we’ve heard, sounds like it’s just going to be 1 player from the portal & bank the scholarship. Would love them to get a kid in early from the ‘24 Class, get him in during the spring.

 

[mauconnfan]

lol. He is a big time athlete. He super quick and fast. More like a left handed Jerome Dyson.

Like the comparison!

This kid is a special athlete for sure, will be interesting to see him grow. Has a CBB ready body it would seem already which does help.

 

[notEwekon]

They've got enough shooting to spread the floor and Danny is going to scheme open looks. The sky is not falling re: shooting.

More of a loss imo is the speed and tenacity with which Hawk played in the offensive set, he broke down defenders over the course of a game by playing like a crackhead on payday. It will be very interesting to see how that energy is replaced.

 

[husky429]

Wow, Solo looks ready to play. He has a great sense for open space on the court, how to instinctively navigate it, or when it's closing up and he needs to pull up. Not afraid of contact, tough player, a strong leaper with long arms, loves to dunk, and wait for it, he is deceptively quick. Staff will turn Solo into a lockdown defender. This guy is getting minutes.

Lol, my guy... it's well known he is one of (if not THE) best pure athletes in this class. There's no "deceptive" here.