CamSpencer,Samson Johnson impress in UConn men's basketball team's open practice

Jul. 29—But without question, the two most impressive players on the floor at the University of Saint Joseph's James A. Calhoun Gymnasium were Cam Spencer and Samson Johnson. Both new players, in a way.

Spencer is a grad transfer who played his first three seasons at Loyola (Md.) before playing at Rutgers last season. Billed as a shooter, he didn't disappoint in that department, draining jumpers from all over the floor: long-range 3-pointers, mid-range jumpers, even an inside hoop off a nifty head fake.

"I'm going to do whatever the team needs to help win," Spencer said. "I've been working hard. I think I'm able to make plays for others and for myself. I'm going to play both ends of the floor and compete my butt off, and help the team win in any way that I can."

Johnson has been with the program the past two seasons, but hasn't made much of an impact. He played sparingly as a freshman, and had his sophomore season sabotaged by an early-season foot injury. But he sure looked like he was ready to make amends on Saturday.

Significantly bulked up, Johnson was a force on the boards, particular the offensive boards, while also slamming home a few lob dunks and stepping back to stroke a 3-pointer.

"He's a whole new player," sophomore center Donovan Clingan marveled. "He's been in the gym, putting in the work. It's starting to show and pay off. He played great today, he's been playing great every day in practice. I'm happy for him. He's stepping up the table, and he's going to play a big role for us this year."

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Indeed, as Clingan backed up Adama Sanogo as a deadly, 1-2 punch at center for last season's national championship team, Johnson could back up Clingan in a similar way. However, the 6-foot-10 native of Togo will also back up Alex Karaban at the four.

"As he's rolling and dunking and finishing at the rim and shooting the 3 now, playing that four-spot, I think, is a better fit," coach Dan Hurley noted. "He (also) gives us that 1-2 punch at center, potentially, that was devastating for people last year."

"He can give me and Alex a little rest," Clingan added, "come in and produce, score the ball. He's showing he can shoot the ball more and more. He's got crazy bounce, he protects the rim. I'm happy for him."

Hurley has stated several times that the staff had to convince Johnson to remain with the team while he appeared a bit disillusioned last season following his injury.

"We started recruiting him back to the team as other schools were recruiting him off our team, through third parties or maybe just directly," Hurley said.

Well, Johnson is back, and looking as good as ever.

"Really, he's just sticking to the process, trusting the process," Karaban said. "Athletically, he's gifted. His shot's become so much better. His IQ for the game really got a lot better, too ... whether to help or stay with his man and stuff. He's really so much of a better player from when I came in to now. I can't wait for him to get that chance to show to everyone that he's going to be the most underrated player in the country this year."

Spencer, a 6-4, 205-pound guard, was recruited out of the transfer portal to help pick up the perimeter-shooting slack lost by the departure of Jordan Hawkins to the NBA lottery and Joey "California" Calcaterra to graduation.

"I think they both brought great shooting, great spacing for the team," Spencer said of Hawkins and Calcaterra. "I think that's something that they've emphasized for me to do and to bring in. Hopefully, I can bring in shooting and playmaking, as well. But like I said, I'm just a competitor, and I'll do whatever I need to do to win."

Indeed, Spencer appears to be a very well-rounded player who'll bring much more to the table than just shooting.

"I think he could have the same impact, and more," Karaban said. "Joey was a terrific player for us, and Cam's going to be the same exact thing for us. He's going to provide that energy, that competitive edge that's hard to find in college. He's been tremendous all summer. I'm just super-excited to continue to see him grow."

"Cam provides that shooting, but also that off-the-bounce, the mid-ranges, the decision-making. Really, just an all-around guy. I think his competitive edge sets him apart from a lot of players."

Indeed, Spencer's "competitive edge" was a popular topic on Saturday.

"This is a program built on sick competitors," said Hurley. "The patriarch (Jim Calhoun) is still here. That's how this thing was set up for success. That's what we all stand for. (Spencer is) a great competitor. To play for me, you have to love the game, as close to as much as I love it, or else it's going to start to splinter. And he loves it as much as any of us love it."

And UConn fans just may love Cam Spencer (and Samson Johnson) as much as they loved Joey California. He might even get his own nickname from Hurley.

"No nickname yet," Spencer said. "I heard of Joey California and some of those. You've got to earn that. But not yet."

Rim rattlings

Calhoun, the man for whom the gym was named after, sat in on most of the two-hour practice and spoke with Hurley afterwards.

"Everyone is positive this time of year," Hurley said. "He loves the returning Big 3 (Newton, Clingan and Karaban), the addition of Cam, what Sam looks like, and the potential of the freshman class."

About 450 fans, mostly donors and season ticket-holders, also watched the practice.

The only players not to participate were freshman Jaylin Stewart and sophomore walk-on Andre Johnson Jr.

Stewart, a national top-75 recruit who arrived late for summer sessions because his Seattle high school didn't get out until late, was nursing a groin injury and riding on the stationary bike through much of practice. At 6-7, 205, Stewart has lost a significant amount of weight from last summer.

"Too much weight, in a way," Hurley noted. "Unbelievable effort by him before he got here, that tells you about the kid. Now, we've got to kind of build his body back up with the muscle, get him stronger. He's that 3/4, 4/3 type of guy that's got to play in, play out, get on the backboard. So, we've got to build his body back up."

Overall, Hurley was happy with the practice as his team readies to embark on a tour of Europe beginning Tuesday.

"It's good to get out here, the curtains went up," he said. "This will potentially be the team, unless we use the last scholarship."

The Huskies have one open scholarship, but will likely keep it open, unless a foreign player or a mid-season addition falls in their lap.