UConn Daily Digest: The Huskies Are Hooping Everywhere

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Headlines

Cam Spencer inks two-year extension with Memphis

An upgrade was in order for Cam Spencer, who secured a two-year, fully guaranteed $4.5 million contract from the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday. This is a huge win for the former Husky, who elevates his rookie two-way contract to a big payday.

UConn fans knew Spencer was the real deal when he suited up for the Huskies and the squad didn’t miss a beat as they repeated as national champions. Considered a fringe draft prospect, he was taken No. 53 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, a longshot to make it in the league. His first-year stats — 4.2 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 1.8 apg — don’t stand out, but he made his presence felt. 

In over eight games in the G League last year, Spencer averaged over 20 points per game, but his spark-plug mentality is uniquely his own. This is the man who was not afraid to get into it with Kevin Durant.

In terms of the outlook for playing time, Memphis traded away Desmond Bane but received back an established combo guard in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who has two remaining years on his contract. Just hours after re-signing Spencer, Memphis also landed former Cavalier Ty Jerome in free agency on a three-year, $28 million deal. Veteran Luke Kennard signed with the Atlanta Hawks, which could help shake the depth chart slightly, but the Grizzlies remain fairly loaded at Spencer’s position. 

Three Huskies named WNBA All-Star starters 

The 2025 WNBA All-Star Game starters pool was released last Monday with three former Huskies on the list.

Paige Buckers’ illustrious rookie season continues. The Dallas Wings guard was named a starter behind 800,000 fan votes. That figure is a new league record for rookies, if you’re curious, and she is one of three rookies from her class to be represented at All-Star weekend, though the only starter. 

The accolades continue to roll in for Bueckers, who was named the WNBA June Rookie of the Month. 

Read: Paige Bueckers Already Making Her Mark in the W ($)

Napheesa Collier was named an All-Star team captain. She and co-captain Caitlin Clark will draft teams from the starter pool on July 8. Collier gets her fifth career nod to the big game behind more than 1.1 million fan votes — second only to Clark. And, she’s doing it behind a career year. Collier is averaging 24.4 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, leading her Minnesota Lynx to 14 wins in their first 16 games as of Thursday, July 3. 

Breanna Stewart is the third Husky starter. This will be her seventh career nod in nine seasons. Her 20.4 points per game ranks third in the league and she’s making a promising bid for her third-career MVP award. 

Alongside the three starters, Gabby Williams will make her first all-star appearance after seven professional seasons. She is having a career year with the Seattle Storm, averaging 13.4 points, 4.7 assists and 2.6 steals per game. Those figures are all career highs and she’s currently the WNBA leader in steals.

The four Huskies will take the floor for the star-studded matchup on Saturday, July 19 at 8:30 pm. It is the Indianapolis Fever’s turn to host, with the game played at Clark’s home court of the Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Former Huskies in NBA Summer League action

In less than a week, the NBA Summer League kicks off with all 30 teams putting their developing talent on display. Seven Huskies are en route to Las Vegas this year. Some are already underway in early Summer League play in Utah.

Let’s take a look at where they all landed. 

• Liam McNeeley – Charlotte Hornets

McNeeley will look to stand out on a Charlotte roster that is already chock-full of young talent. Kon Knueppel will own the spotlight, leaving McNeeley with a great opportunity to play his game without much pressure. (Charlotte Summer League Schedule)

• Adama Sanogo – Utah Jazz

Sanogo was waived by the Chicago Bulls in February, just three days after he represented the team at NBA All-Star Weekend as part of the G League’s 2025 Next Up game. He’s now with Utah and is looking to reignite his NBA hopes out west. (Utah Summer League Schedule)

In two games in Summer League play in Utah, Sanogo is averaging 15 minutes per contest for the Jazz, with four points and five rebounds in his debut.

• Tristen Newton – Minnesota Timberwolves

Like Sanogo, Newton was waived by his former team early in the year. The Pacers let him go on January 1, though he was claimed three days later by Minnesota. He appeared in eight games during the regular season, averaging just two minutes. (Minnesota Summer League Schedule)

• Cam Spencer – Memphis Grizzlies

Spencer will get right to work with Memphis after signing a $4.5 million deal with the team. Productive summer league minutes could bode well for his rotational hopes when the regular season rolls around. (Memphis Summer League Schedule)

Spencer has already played two games in Summer League Utah, scoring 23 points with six rebounds and three assists against the Jazz.

• Samson Johnson – Indiana Pacers

Johnson went undrafted last month and signed on with Indiana through an Exhibition 10 contract. If he wants any future as an NBA player, he will have to impress mightily throughout the July slate. (Indiana Summer League Schedule)

• Andre Jackson Jr. – Milwaukee Bucks

Jackson is set to enter his third season with Milwaukee. It is clear the Bucks think the young forward still needs some polishing in his game, as he averaged just 3.4 points over 64 games last season. (Milwaukee Summer League Schedule)

• James Bouknight – Portland Trailblazer

Though Donovan Clingan will not play for Portland this summer, a different Husky will. Bouknight is the oldest former UConn player on this list as he begins his fourth professional season. Charlotte declined his fourth-year option and waived Bouknight in February 2024, leading to his signing with Portland in October of the same year. (Portland Summer League Schedule)

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Weekly Rewind

Men’s Basketball

Cam Spencer signs two-year, $4.5 million deal with Memphis Grizzlies – Spencer averaged 4.2 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game in 25 games his rookie season.

FIBA U-19 World Cup: Reibe and Furphy Rising ($) – Two members of UConn’s incoming freshman class have showcased some serious talent at the international level. 

FIBA U-19 Wrap-Up - Will Eric Reibe and Jacob Furphy Take Storrs By Storm? ($) – With the tournament wrapped up, how well did both freshmen perform?

Liam McNeeley NBA Draft Subscriber Giveaway ($) – Be one of the first 240 members to subscribe as a premium member and win a Liam McNeeley autographed card. 

Women’s Basketball

Paige Bueckers Already Making Her Mark in the W ($) – Through just a quarter of the season, Bueckers is making WNBA rookie history. 

Three former UConn players named WNBA All-Star starters – Paige Bueckers, Naphessa Collier, and Breanna Stewart all received the prestigious nod. 

Kayleigh Heckel believes UConn is ‘The place I need to be’ – Read how UConn checked all the boxes from the USC transfer.

Football

UConn vs. Yale 1965: The Huskies’ First-Ever Win Over Yale ($) – Relive the first of what would become many battles between these two Connecticut programs. 

Hockey

UConn adding defenseman Brendan Dunphy to 2025-26 roster – Dunphy was picked 197th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft. 

Notebook: Two UConn freshmen selected in 2025 NHL Draft – More pro talent on the Huskies’ roster. 

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