It was always Pat Spencer’s dream to play in the NBA. For the past three years, the Anne Arundel County native and former Boys’ Latin and Loyola (Md.) lacrosse star has done that, increasingly making a name as a high-energy role player with the Golden State Warriors.
Now, Spencer is moving on to another team, the Phoenix Suns.
The Suns announced on Saturday, Spencer’s 30th birthday, that it signed the 6-foot-2 guard to a one-year deal. It’s a “two-way contract,” which means Spencer can play a maximum of 50 regular-season games for Phoenix but also play with the team’s G-League affiliate.
Spencer, who won the Tewaaraton Award as college lacrosse's top player in 2019, committed himself to an NBA dream after playing four lacrosse seasons at Loyola. He played hoops at Northwestern, then in Germany in 2021 and in the G-League for the Washington Wizards and Warriors before cracking the NBA in 2023-24.
After playing sparingly in just six games that year, he saw more playing time in 39 games in 2024-25, and last NBA season, Spencer made 14 starts for the Warriors, and averaged 7.2 points, 3.5 assists and 2.4 rebounds. He became a fan favorite and someone that Golden State head coach Steve Kerr spoke glowingly about.
Spencer's brother, Cam, is also in the NBA with the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Suns were the No. 8 seed in the NBA's Western Conference playoffs and were swept in the first round by the Oklahoma Thunder.