:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/64001652/usa_today_12340102.10.jpg)
The first pick in the Premier Lacrosse League draft, Pat Spencer, will play basketball for Northwestern next season. Spencer was a two-time Tewaaraton finalist and a three-time All-American playing lacrosse at Loyola (Md.) University, and he won the 2019 Tewaaraton award. This winter, he’ll suit up on the hardwood for Northwestern. Jeff Goodman reported Thursday that the Maryland native will be a graduate transfer and play basketball at Northwestern this season.
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’s choice to put his lacrosse aspirations on hold is a compelling story. He is arguably the best lacrosse player in the country, yet he is taking an intermission from the sport that he’s best at (though salaries for professional lacrosse players are astoundingly low). Spencer amassed 49 goals and 65 assists during his senior season at Loyola, but hasn’t played basketball competitively since his high school days.
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
By all accounts, Spencer is a phenomenal athlete; whether his immense talent and athleticism will translate to basketball, however, remains to be seen. You can take a look at his lacrosse highlights below.
We’ll continue to update the story as more information becomes available.