Introduction
Pat Spencer is one of the most fascinating two-sport athletes in recent U.S. college and professional sports history. First a dominant lacrosse star in college, he later transitioned to college basketball and — today — plays in the NBA. This article delves into his lacrosse statistics, his physical profile, and a recent controversial ejection for a head-butt in a professional basketball game.
From Undersized Freshman to Lacrosse Dominance: Spencer’s Rise & Physical Transformation
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In high school at Boys’ Latin School of Maryland, Spencer was reportedly just 5′4″ (about 163 cm) and 120 lb (≈ 54 kg) — a size that saw him cut from teams early on.
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That changed dramatically with a growth spurt: by college he grew to roughly 6′2″ (1.88 m) and 205 lb (93 kg / ≈ 205 lb), giving him a strong physical frame more suited to contact sports.
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This physical transformation, combined with speed, vision, and skill, helped him not just fit in — but stand out at the highest levels of college lacrosse.
College Lacrosse Career: Stats & Records at Loyola University Maryland
During his time at Loyola (2016–2019), Spencer didn’t just play lacrosse. He excelled and rewrote history:
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Assists (career): 231 — highest in NCAA Division I history.
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Total career points: 380 (combining his goals and assists), putting him among the top in NCAA history.
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Goals: 149 over his college lacrosse career.
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2019 season highlight: In 2019, his senior year, he put up 114 points — a stellar performance that underlined his dominance.
Legacy & Recognition
Spencer’s achievements earned him top national honors:
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He walked away with major awards such as the Lt. Raymond Enners Award (given to the U.S. college lacrosse national player of the year) and the Jack Turnbull Award (top attackman in the nation).
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His athleticism — highlighted in coverage of games where he would leap and produce high-flying goals — turned heads, with some calling him “Air Spencer.”
By the time he left Loyola, Spencer had cemented himself as one of the most prolific and well-rounded attackers in NCAA lacrosse history.
Transition to Basketball — College & NBA
Interestingly, Spencer’s athletic versatility did not stop at lacrosse.
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After four years at Loyola, he transferred to Northwestern University to play college basketball (2019–2020).
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At Northwestern, he showed flashes of his multi-sport talent: in his debut season, he had some standout games — including a 23-point, 8-assist game against Bradley.
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Today, Spencer plays in the NBA for Golden State Warriors. His listed height/weight is 6′2″ (1.88 m) and ≈ 205 lb (93 kg).
His journey — from being “too small” in high school to becoming a record-setting lacrosse star and then an NBA player — is a testament to his adaptability, work ethic, and athletic gifts.
Controversy: Head-Butt Ejection in NBA Game
Spencer’s competitive edge — once an asset on the lacrosse field — recently resulted in controversy:
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During a 2025 NBA playoff game, Spencer was involved in a physical altercation. He turned and head-butted an opponent (Alperen Şengün), leading to a technical foul and immediate ejection from the game.
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The incident sparked widespread discussion among fans: one Reddit user wrote:
“Dude won me over the other day when he head butted a player and got ejected. … He’s got a quiet confidence about him … I bet he was the same way in lacrosse.”
Another noted that some of the intensity might stem from habits formed playing helmeted contact sports like lacrosse:
“I think it is something they do when they scuffle in lacrosse given they wear the helmet with a face guard.”
The head-butt reignited conversations about the challenges athletes face when switching between sports — especially contact-heavy ones — and how instincts from one sport may carry over (sometimes inappropriately) to another.
What Makes Pat Spencer Unique: Skills, Versatility & Determination
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Multisport elite athlete: Very few players have succeeded at NCAA Division I lacrosse and Division I basketball — and even fewer have leveraged that into an NBA career.
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Elite lacrosse vision & IQ: His assist record (231) is a testament to his court (or field) awareness, playmaking vision, and ability to elevate teammates.
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Physical transformation & work ethic: From a 5′4″, 120-lb high-schooler to a 6′2″, 205-lb pro athlete — the transformation was dramatic, and speaks to his commitment.
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Fearless competitor: Whether flying in the air for a lacrosse goal or going hard on court in the NBA — Spencer plays with intensity, aggression, and heart.
Conclusion
Pat Spencer’s story is one of remarkable transformation, versatility, and athletic excellence. From being a lightly regarded high-school athlete to becoming one of the NCAA’s all-time lacrosse greats — and then making it to the NBA — his journey defies convention. Even the recent head-butt ejection, while controversial, underscores the raw competitiveness ingrained in him from years of contact sport.
For fans of lacrosse, basketball, or just inspiring underdog stories — Pat Spencer remains one to watch.
