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Jeff Goodman of Stadium made a surprise announcement on Thursday that lacrosse star Patrick Spencer committed to Northwestern to play basketball.
Lacrosse star Patrick Spencer told @Stadium he is headed to Northwestern to play this season as a grad transfer. Very cool story.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) June 13, 2019
Spencer completed four years of lacrosse at Loyola-Maryland, so under NCAA rules, he can play one season as a graduate transfer at Northwestern.
Spencer was one of the best lacrosse players in the country while at Loyola-Maryland. Before the season he was named the Preseason Player of the Year. This season he scored 40 goals and dished out 65 assists. He took home all kinds of hardware at the end of the season. He was named the Patriot League Player of the Year for the third consecutive year. He also won the Tewaaraton Award, considered the top individual NCAA Division I lacrosse award. Take a look at some of his lacrosse highlights here.
Spencer can also get it done on the hardwood.
Spencer stopped playing hoops after high school. But as a high schooler, Spencer was named second team all-city by the Baltimore Sun after averaging 14.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 6.1 assists his senior season. Take a look at some of his dunking highlights as a senior.
Pat Spencer’s lacrosse career is over and now he is going to bypass the pros for a chance to play college hoops. I have had multiple mid and high-majors reach out about Spencer.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) May 20, 2019
Here’s a compilation of his dunks from his senior year at Boys’ Latin. pic.twitter.com/q4QbOvaiNE
The 6-foot-3 Spencer had an offer to play basketball for Loyola-Maryland after the season but wanted to pursue basketball at a higher level. That’s where Northwestern came in.
Spencer visited the Wildcats mid-week and made his decision. Here’s a quote from Spencer form an article in the Capital Gazette.
“I had talked to my father last night and we both felt confident and comfortable with the situation.”
Spencer should have plenty of opportunities to prove himself as a key player for the Wildcats next season. The Wildcats lose their top three leading scorers and need help in the backcourt.
While unconventional, this will be a fun story to watch next season. Spencer is a phenomenal athlete and should have some opportunities to make a big impact for Chris Collins and Northwestern next season.