Cam Spencer NBA Draft Slide: Why UConn’s projected 1st round pick wasn’t drafted on Day 1 explored
The 2024 NBA draft concluded its first round on Wednesday night, and some players who were expecting to hear their names called are still waiting to figure out their future. One of those athletes is UConn Huskies guard Cam Spencer. Despite having a strong 2023-24 season, he was not selected in the first round of the draft, despite people expecting to see his name off the board.
But why exactly is Spencer still one of the best available players and having to wait until the second round to be drafted? Let's take a closer look to determine some possible reasons.
Why Cam Spencer wasn't drafted in the first round
Cam Spencer was projected to be a fringe first-round pick according to most mock drafts, and the draft falling a certain way made it more difficult for him to be chosen on Wednesday night. However, Spencer does have some red flags compared to other first-round players.
He played five seasons of college basketball, so he will be a bit older than most of the NBA draft prospects. Spencer also does not have much of a handle to typically drive straight to the basket, showcasing a lack of ability to perform heading toward the rim.
On the defensive side, he is not known to stay in front of slashing guards, which happens more in the NBA than he saw throughout his college basketball seasons.
While being one of the best shooters in the draft, some red flags could be reasons why he is still available heading into the second day of the 2024 NBA draft.
Cam Spencer's College Career stats
Cam Spencer has been one of the better players in college basketball and showcased that statistically. The two-time NCAA national champion performed well in five seasons with the UConn Huskies.
During the 2023-24 college basketball season, Spencer averaged 32.8 minutes with 14.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.5 steals per game. He also was one of the top shooters in the country, as he finished connecting on 48.4% from the field, 44.0% from distance and 91.1% from the free-throw line.