Golden State Warriors guard Pat Spencer has reflected on how his lacrosse background has influenced his basketball career, highlighting the transferable skills between the two sports. Spencer, who has logged 17 of his 50 eligible games as a two-way player this season, told the Chicago Tribune, “Many offensive fundamentals of lacrosse are intertwined with the basics of basketball. Attackers utilize screen actions to create spacing. The sports even share similar vocabulary — pick-and-roll, drive-and-kick.”
Spencer’s high basketball IQ was evident in summer workouts, where he manipulated screens with the confidence of a veteran guard. “It just reaffirmed my belief in myself,” Spencer said. “It was a testament to the fact that — look, I can’t even shoot the ball yet. My body’s not where I wanted it to be yet. And I’m still able to do what I was doing. It reaffirmed that, OK, if I put my head down and start working, I’m going to make this thing happen.”
Despite limited NBA experience, Spencer has shown flashes of potential for Golden State. In the 2025-26 season, he has appeared in 17 games, averaging 7.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per contest while shooting 46.6% from the field and 44.4% from three-point range. His G League performances also showcased his versatility, including a 14-point, 7.7-rebound, 7.3-assist outing for the Santa Cruz Warriors last season.
Spencer’s approach to basketball remains grounded, reflecting his focus on fundamentals over fame or fortune. “Look, this is cliche, but if you told me I could live and my family would be taken care of and I could do all of this for free — then I would do it,” he explained. The 6-foot-4 guard still drives the same 2011 Honda CRV that shuttled him between practices in high school, symbolizing his commitment to simplicity and hard work.
As the Warriors continue to navigate a 13-12 season, Spencer remains focused on growth and consistency. His lacrosse background has shaped his court vision, decision-making, and spatial awareness, providing him with a unique edge as he seeks to secure a full-time NBA role.
