Now that the Wine & Gold have signed Pete to a 10-day contract, can we officially name the Nances as the first family of Cavaliers basketball?
On Thursday afternoon, the 23-year-old forward from Akron was given the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of his father and brother – while blazing a trail of his own – when Cleveland inked Pete Nance to the 10-day deal. After spending the first six games with the G-League’s Charge to start the season, he’ll join the red-hot Cavaliers – who’ve won six straight and 11 of the last 14 – as they embark on four-game roadie beginning on Friday night in Atlanta.
Following practice and before the squad departed for the ATL on Friday, Nance was all smiles.
“I mean, it's amazing,” beamed the 6-10, 225-pound Nance. “Obviously, I'm from right down the road, grew up a lifelong Cavs fan. And so, to be able to be in practice and just be around the team and be around these guys, obviously it's a dream come true. It’s something I've thought about my whole life for sure, so it's just a really awesome moment.”
As warm a moment as the signing of Nance is, it’s by no means a ceremonial deal. The former Revere standout has worked his way onto the NBA stage – culminating an outstanding run with the Charge last Wednesday night when he posted the team’s first triple-double in two years, going off 27 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists in a win over the Mad Ants in Indiana.
On the night, Nance went 9-for-15 from the floor, including 5-of-10 from long-range, and didn’t commit a single turnover in 40 minutes of work.
After a five-year collegiate career that began with Northwestern and ended with a single season at North Carolina, Nance went undrafted this past June, eventually signing with the Charge, and after spending Summer League and Training Camp here in Cleveland, the coaching staff is very familiar with him.
“He's one of those guys that ask the right questions,” praised Head Coach J.B. Bickerstaff. “He's one of those guys that you only have to tell one time. He pays attention, he watches, he locks in, and then again, he puts the work in.
“And then as a basketball player, you see how versatile he is and all the things that he's capable of. He can rebound the basketball, he can pass, he can score. He defends multiple positions. And that's what the league is about now – those Swiss Army knives at that size with that athleticism. But again, you give people what they earn – and he's been rewarded because he earned it.”
Nance talked about his familiarity with the squad and staff, as well. “During Training Camp, I was able to build a relationship with majority of the guys and a lot of the staff, so that definitely helps kind of having a foot in the door that way.”
After a stellar prep career at Revere – earning Ohio Division II Player of the Year honors in 2018 – Nance committed to Northwestern, where he steadily improved over the course of his four-year career, averaging 14.6ppg as a senior. After testing the waters of the 2022 Draft, Nance returned to college, transferring to Chapel Hill for his fifth season.
And after his brief run with the Charge, he’ll have a chance to make a dent at the NBA level.
“I think just being around the guys talking to them, learning as much as I can,” Nance said, explaining his goals for the 10-day stay. “Obviously, this is the highest level of basketball in the world, so just soaking everything up and learning as much as I can and just putting my best foot forward and working as hard as I can. Basically, just doing whatever I can do to make a good impression.”
Nance was surprised with the good news in the locker room by Charge Head Coach Mike Gerrity following Tuesday night’s win in Westchester.
His reaction when he got news of the call-up?
“I think, just honestly, I felt really good,” said Nance. “I've been working really, really hard just to become as good as I can be in the G and developing myself. And I think that this is a great step in the right direction for me. So, the hard work is paying off, but it's definitely a lot of motivation to keep working.”
In six games with the Charge this year, Nance is averaging 13.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per. Because he’s a Nance, he understands the importance of defense among the skills he’s been polishing in the G-League.
“I think defensively, I think there's just a real focus,” said Nance. “It’s really important at this level. If you can't defend then you can't play – so that's been being able to guard multiple positions and protect the rim. But also, my shooting ability. I think I was able to shoot before, but I think really locking in on that and obviously knowing that that's something that I'm going to need at this level, too. I’ve been working really hard and I think it's really coming.”
Now, Nance joins the NBA squad, with the Cavaliers looking to continue their winning ways over a four-game road trip – with stops in Atlanta, Orlando and a pair in Milwaukee on the slate.
“(I’m) super-excited, definitely just to continue to build that relationship with (the team), but also just see how these guys operate,” he explained. “Obviously, this is the highest level of basketball in the world, and a team that's playing as well as anybody in the NBA. So, watching how these guys prepare and really lock in for games is going to be really cool for me to watch and experience and learn from.”
Pete Nance’s enthusiasm and eagerness over his NBA opportunity isn’t lost on his head coach. J.B. Bickerstaff knew exactly how big the moment is for the youngster as his lifelong dreams begin to take shape.
“It's awesome,” beamed Bickerstaff. “I mean, part of what we do is about making dreams come true. And anytime a guy gets the opportunity to be in the NBA, it's a dream come true. Obviously, his circumstances here with his brother being here and obviously his father being here, it's even more unique and special – so you can't be happier for him.
“It's a guy who's worked his tail off to get here. And just to be a part of that is special for all of us.”