Grizzlies rookie labeled 'overlooked' player who can surprise, and it's not Zach Edey

The Memphis Grizzlies are garnering quite a ton of attention as they head toward what many expect to be a resurrection campaign in 2024-25.

Following a putrid 2023-24 run that was chock full of injuries and key player absences, Ja Morant and company are looking to reclaim their status of being a top-tier team in the Western Conference, and it appears they're well positioned to do exactly that.

Not only is health expected to be on their side, but this summer GM Zach Kleiman managed to address several areas of weakness within Memphis' rotation, most notably with the acquisition of standout Purdue center Zach Edey during the lottery portion of this year's NBA Draft.

Of course, the behemoth big wasn't the only player the Grizzlies scooped up during June's festivities, as the club finds itself coming into the new year with three total drafted rookie talents, one of which is currently being viewed as an "overlooked" commodity who could wind up surprising the masses.

Grizzlies wing Cam Spencer labeled rookie 'who can surprise in 2024-25'

In a recent piece penned by Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman, the NBA Draft Insider highlighted six specific first-year ballers who are going a bit under the radar as far as buzz and media attention are concerned that he believes could "compete for All-Rookie teams," and, among those mentioned was Grizzlies second-round wing, Cam Spencer.

Citing the team's need for extra ball handlers (both Ja Morant and Derrick Rose have proven to be several injury risks over the years) and shot-makers (Memphis ranked second-worst in long-range shooting in 2023-24), Wasserman is under the impression that his abilities on both of these fronts could make him a serviceable commodity within coach Taylor Jenkins' rotation right from the jump.

"Shooting remains his calling card, but Spencer was one of the most efficient pick-and-roll players in college basketball with his pace control, three-level shotmaking and veteran decision-making.

"Even with Memphis at full strength, coach Taylor Jenkins could use Spencer in a connector role. Passing IQ and elite off-ball shooting create an easy fit for the 24-year-old who last year totaled 145 assists to just 40 turnovers and graded in the 99th percentile on movement jumpers, per Synergy Sports," Wasserman wrote.

Throughout this year's Summer League, Spencer showed that his collegiate excellence and intangibles can take center stage at the professional level, as he posted 13.0 points, 3.5 assists, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game while shooting an incredibly efficient 68.8 percent from the floor and 57.1 percent from distance.

On top of his play, the 24-year-old's demeanor and overall intensity have already seemingly captivated his Grizzlies teammates, with rising stud forward GG Jackson going on record stating that he views him as a "f*cking dog," due, in large, to the fact that "his work ethic is insane."

Spencer has built a reputation throughout the years of being a highly intense player, with him even admitting to Grind City Media earlier this summer that he would go as far as to "sacrifice my life on the court to win a basketball game."

Coming into 2024-25, the reigning NCAA Champion (won 2023 national title with UConn) finds himself attached to a two-way deal, thus guaranteeing that he'll be revolving in and out between the franchise's varsity and development teams in year one.

Of course, with such a contract, players are permitted to see upwards of 50 games played at the NBA level and, as we saw last season, the Grizzlies aren't opposed to using this luxury to its fullest extent.

Because of this, Cam Spencer could realistically find himself seeing more action than many may expect during his debut professional campaign, and Wasserman believes that the rookie could wind up surprising the masses with his play.