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 qualifying games as a two-way player this season, told the Chicago Tribune”Many of the offensive fundamentals of lacrosse are intertwined with the fundamentals of basketball. Attackers use screen actions to create space. The sports even share a similar vocabulary: pick-and-roll, drive-and-kick.”
Spencer’s high basketball IQ was evident during summer workouts, as 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 isn’t where I wanted it to be yet. And I can still do what I did. 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 potential for Golden State. In the 2025–26 season, he appeared in 17 games, averaging 7.4 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game while shooting 46.6% from the field and 44.4% from three-point range. His performances in the G League also showed his versatility, including a 14-point, 7.7-rebound, 7.3-assist performance for the Santa Cruz Warriors last season.
Spencer’s approach to basketball remains grounded and reflects his focus on fundamentals over fame or fortune. “Look, this is a cliché, but if you told me that I could live and my family would be taken care of and I could do all this for free – I would do it,” he explained. The 6-foot-1 guard still drives the same 2011 Honda CRV that took 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, giving him a unique advantage as he pursues a full-time NBA role.
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