2024-25 Season

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Despite having only one player on the roster over 30 years old – 10-year veteran Larry Nance Jr., who’ll turn 33 on New Year’s Day – the Cavaliers rank 21st&nbsp;in the NBA in terms of average age, youngest-to-oldest at 26.2.&nbsp;

(The Brooklyn Nets are the league’s youngest squad [23.3]; the L.A. Clippers are the oldest. [28.6])

With Nance as the team’s most seasoned veteran, the other end of that spectrum belongs to rookie Tyrese Proctor – who doesn’t turn 22 until the regular season’s final month. But despite his lack of experience, the young Aussie is proving to both his teammates and the coaching staff that he’s exactly where he should be.&nbsp;

“One of the vets said to me today, he’s like, ‘Tyrese, he looks like he belongs,’” said Kenny Atkinson following Wednesday’s practice at IMG Academy in Bradenton. “And a lot of times with rookies you're like: ‘Do they really belong right now?’ It feels like he belongs.”

It’s no surprise that Proctor doesn’t enter the NBA as your standard wide-eyed rookie – hailing from arguably the most pro-ready college program in the sport – Duke – which saw five players drafted this past June, including the top overall pick, Cooper Flagg.&nbsp;

“A lot of guys talk about how similar (Duke) is to the NBA, but you’re obviously in college and you don't know,” said the 6-6, 185-pound sharpshooter. “But once you're here, it’s very similar. They’ve got a great setup at Duke. It's all business – like you're damn near a professional in college. You’ve got 17-, 18-, 19-year-olds there, and thankfully I was able to do it for three years. So being one of the vets on the team last year sort of gave me a boost of confidence and in a sense just carrying that over into this year.”

Taken with the 49th&nbsp;overall pick, Proctor played three seasons with the Blue Devils – helping lead them to last spring’s Final Four. As a junior, the lithe guard ranked fourth in the ACC in&nbsp;three-point percentage (.405) and threes made per game (2.34)&nbsp;

In Duke’s ACC Tournament title game, he connected on six triples as Duke captured its 23rd&nbsp;Conference championship. Over the course of his career, Proctor appeared in 106 games (97 starts) at Durham, averaging 10.8 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 29.9 minutes.

And while three of his teammates – (Flagg [1], Kon Knueppel [4] and Khaman Maluach [10]) – were selected in the First Round – (with Sion James going at No. 33 to Charlotte) – Proctor had to wait patiently for his name to be called.&nbsp;

“It was a rollercoaster,” recalled Proctor. “I thought I was going in the First Round. I had a couple of calls and good workouts, but I obviously slipped out of First Round. I found out I was coming to the Cavs, and I mean you see all the stories about the guys in the Second Round that everyone sleeps on. And I think, for me, it's just attacking the situation with a strong mentality and proving not only to myself, but to other people why I should be in the NBA and why I should stick and play for a long time.”

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Proctor might have slipped into the Second Round, but he’s grateful that he landed with a Cavaliers organization that’s welcomed him with open arms.&nbsp;

“I've been loving it here ever since I got drafted,” said Proctor. “First, with the phone call with the coaches, and then everyone's been so welcoming. It's been great. Everyone's all about the work and we're all cool off the court. It's a really cool environment. It's different than college, but it’s been great so far. I've loved it.”

Not long after being drafted, Proctor showed his stuff in Las Vegas, putting together a strong Summer League run this past July. In four outings, the 21-year-old drained 10 triples and was 22-of-23 from the stripe. In a win over the Kings, the young gun led all scorers with 35 points, including 11 straight during a furious fourth-quarter run.&nbsp;

“I think you obviously get the nerves out of the way in first couple of games, but once I got going, all the guys on the coaching staff gave me confidence, and I just went out and played my game, took the open shots,” Proctor said of his Vegas coming-out party. “A lot of guys say I don't shoot enough. So, I was just trying to find my balance and execute what I'd been working on in the offseason.”

Proctor’s long-range skillset was apparent over the course of his career at Duke. Last year, he led the ACC in three-point percentage (.405) and three-pointers made per game (2.34).&nbsp;

Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, Proctor played soccer, cricket and baseball growing up before finding his true calling on the hardwood. Along with swingman Luke Travers – who Cleveland tabbed with the 56th&nbsp;overall pick back in 2022 – he’s one of two Cavaliers from the land down under. (“It’s nice to hear an [Aussie] accent once in a while,” smiled Proctor.)&nbsp;

He also opined about how growing up playing hoops down under varies from how it’s done here.&nbsp;

“I think early on there's a big difference,” said Proctor. “The way it's taught is completely different than what I've heard. Obviously, I hadn't been taught American basketball as a young person, but I think the way that it’s taught (in Australia) from a younger age is that it's all about team basketball. We don't have AAU and stuff like that; all the trainers, we don't have any of that. It's all team basketball, team orientated. If one person plays well, we all play well.”

The newest Cavalier isn’t completely unfamiliar with his new Stateside home. His father – who played for the NBL’s Sydney Kings – is originally from Jackson, Mississippi. And his mother traveled here recently for three of four weeks to help him get set up.&nbsp;

Now, it’s simply a matter of finding his way in the league and, yes, taking some bumps and bruises along the way.&nbsp;

He could spend some time growing in the G-League, but Kenny Atkinson admitted on Wednesday that “he’s going to push us to make a decision on that” and that “the question with Tyrese right now, is he going to be able to handle a physicality? His skill level's high enough. This year's probably going to be a year where he's really got to build his body.”

For now, Proctor is figuring out the pro game, figuring out his teammates and learning the Cavaliers system. He’ll soon learn that life comes at you fast in the Association. Cleveland’s first preseason game is less than a week away.&nbsp;

“I think the biggest thing is just to learn as much as I can,” he concluded. “Obviously, being the only rookie on the team, I think it’s just embracing that you're only a rookie one time in your life. And I think just with the talent and group that we have, obviously the core guys have been here for a few years now together. So, I think really just learning as much as I can, no matter if I play 40 games, two games, three games, just attacking it with the same mindset every day. And I understand that if I put the work in behind the scenes, it's going to come eventually.”

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Tyrese Proctor is Finding His Way in the NBA

Cavs.com

CLEVELAND, OH – The Cleveland Cavaliers Community Foundation (CCF) and the Cleveland Monsters Community Foundation (MCF) have awarded $510,000 in grants to 17 local nonprofits as part of the Spring 2025 grant cycle. These organizations serve Northeast Ohio communities with a focus on education, food security, wellness & recreation and creating safe spaces for youth.

This past October, in celebration of the 30th anniversary of Rocket Arena, the Cavaliers and Monsters Community Foundation committed to awarding $30,000 grants to 30 organizations during the 2024–2025 basketball season.&nbsp; In addition to the $510,000, CCF and MCF granted nearly $400,000 in Fall 2024 to fulfill the $900,000 commitment. Of the 30 recipients, 12 are first-time grantees of the Foundation. The initiative also includes two $30,000 academic scholarships awarded to students from Northeast Ohio.

Since 1993, the Cavaliers Community Foundation has invested over $26 million to support organizations addressing critical resource gaps in the Northeast Ohio community. These grants have supported local nonprofits as they expand their footprint and provide vital resources to community members and our neighborhoods.&nbsp;

The Cavaliers Community Foundation Spring 2025 grant recipients include:&nbsp;Achievement Centers for Children, Hope Ignites Northeast Ohio, City Mission, City Year, Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank, Greater Cleveland Food Bank, I Am Boundless, LMM, Providence House, Re:Source Cleveland, RePlay for Kids, Syatt and University Settlement.

“We are honored to partner with 17 outstanding nonprofits through our 2025 Spring grant cycle. For over 30 years, our foundation has been dedicated to building community partnerships that expand opportunities and address the most pressing needs for youth and families in Northeast Ohio,” said&nbsp;Pam Frasco, Executive Director of the Cavaliers Community Foundation and Senior Vice President of Social Impact and Equity.&nbsp;“These spring grantee recipients are true community leaders who work tirelessly to support our community in the most valuable ways. Each organization’s mission and goals align with the Cavaliers Community Foundation, funding programming that is focused on providing the best possible outcomes for our youth. We are grateful for the opportunity to work together to create a bright future”.&nbsp;

The Monsters Community Foundation Spring 2025 grant recipients include:&nbsp;Effective Leadership Academy, FrontLine Service and Humble Design Cleveland.

“From youth leadership development to mental health support and housing stability, these partners represent the diverse strengths our neighborhoods and community members need to thrive”, said&nbsp;Ben Adams, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of the Cleveland Monsters.&nbsp;“Our commitment to supporting these organizations is unwavering, and we’re enthusiastic about the opportunity to help them make a real difference in our region.”

Together, these organizations provide a wide range of services, from educational enrichment and food security to mental health support and inclusive recreation.

Grants are awarded twice each year, following a thorough review by the Cavaliers and Monsters Community Foundation Board. The second grant cycle for 2025 will begin in early fall. Organizations interested in being considered for funding should submit a letter of intent by September 1, 2025.

For more information about the Cavaliers Community Foundation or to apply, contact&nbsp;CCfoundation@cavs.com&nbsp;or find the application&nbsp;here. For consideration by the Monsters Community Foundation, please contact&nbsp;monsterscommunity@clevelandmonsters.com&nbsp;or find the application&nbsp;here.  &nbsp;

Cavaliers Community Foundation Spring 2025 Grant Recipients&nbsp;

Achievement Centers’ mission is to empower children and adults with disabilities to achieve their greatest potential through holistic and family-focused services. They offer programs and services to individuals with a broad range of developmental and physical disabilities and special needs. Services are provided at three Northeast Ohio locations: Highland Hills, Westlake, and Camp Cheerful in Strongsville.

Hope Ignites of Northeastern Ohio (formerly Boys Hope Girls Hope) operates three residential homes in Garfield Heights, a robust out-of-school-time Academy program, and a College & Career Success program. Beginning in their sixth-grade year and throughout young adulthood, scholars find consistent, loving support in a stable, nurturing community at Hope Ignites, where they are fully championed academically, intellectually, emotionally, and socially.&nbsp;

The City Mission (TCM) has served Cleveland's poor and homeless since 1910. In its early years, the Mission provided a wide range of social welfare programs to meet immediate needs and provided compassion and grace to people in crisis. They empower men, women, and children experiencing crisis to overcome their unique paths to homelessness through long-term, residential programming, courses, and wraparound services offered at Crossroads Men's Crisis Center, Laura's Home Women and Children's Crisis Center.

Since launching in Cleveland in 1996, as the eighth site, City Year has partnered with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) to help students in under-resourced schools stay on track to graduate. In 2006, City Year adopted the Whole School Whole Child (WSWC) program as its signature service model, which provides academic, social skill coaching, and attendance support to students most in need.

Founded in 2016, Cleveland Kids' Book Bank (CKBB) is dedicated to ensuring every child has access to books in their home, inspiring literacy and a lifelong love of reading. Addressing this crisis requires systemic change and community action. CKBB plays a vital role in supporting literacy interventions by ensuring books are accessible at home and encouraging parents to read with their children. In partnership with neighborhood, city, and county entities, they serve as the go-to resource for book access in Greater Cleveland.

The Greater Cleveland Food Bank is the largest hunger relief organization in Northeast Ohio, having served over 424,000 people in Cuyahoga, Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake, Ashland and Richland counties in 2024. They do this through both food distribution and SNAP outreach efforts. The Food Bank operates a community food distribution center, providing food and other critical grocery products annually to more than 1,000 local food pantries, hot meal programs, shelters, mobile pantries, programs for the elderly, and other nonprofit agencies.

I Am Boundless began as Franklin County Residential Services, incorporated in 1980 under the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities. The organization provided respite services and supported living services throughout Central Ohio. In 1985, four intermediate-care facilities were constructed, expanding upon the residential services provided to families in Central Ohio. Franklin County Residential Services was privatized from the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities in 2004. In 2023, Koinonia Homes-a leading provider of residential services, day programs, and employment services to adults with I/DD in Northeast Ohio-joined the Boundless family of nonprofit companies.

Founded in 1969, the mission of LMM is to challenge systemic injustices faced by those who are oppressed, forgotten, and hurt by providing responsive solutions, advocacy, and hope. The youth served in LMM’s Youth Resiliency Service (YRS) Program have trauma histories; mental, emotional, physical health or substance-use challenges; many are runaways, or without a home or stable living environment; and others are survivors of physical abuse and neglect. YRS also provides a holistic continuum of care that helps youth to address their challenges, develop positive social attachments, and prevent a return to homelessness in the future.

Providence House was founded in 1981 with the mission of preventing child abuse and neglect in Northeast Ohio by providing temporary emergency shelter for children and supporting families in crisis. The organization has grown in response to the increasing need for family preservation services, particularly for families experiencing homelessness, housing instability, and other crises. The organization's core mission is to ensure the safety and well-being of children while supporting and stabilizing families through crisis intervention and connection to community resources. They provide emergency shelter in a safe and nurturing environment for children ages 0-12, while their families work to resolve the issues they face. The organization's ultimate goal is to preserve families, ensuring children remain in their homes when possible, and to prevent future trauma or crisis.

Re:Source Cleveland is a Cuyahoga County based nonprofit founded in 2010 with a mission to empower international newcomer families to grow roots, supporting them in becoming engaged, self-sufficient and contributing members of their new communities. They’ve grown to serve over 2,000 newcomers from over a dozen countries in 2024 across programs that focus on youth and teens and their entire families by providing a range of wrap-around support services and ongoing enrichment programs. They work with newcomers from immigration pathways and legal statuses including former refugees, those with temporary protected status, those on humanitarian parole, and those with or seeking asylum.

RePlay for Kids was established in 1999, with a mission of increasing the availability of toys and assistive devices for children with disabilities. Replay teaches volunteers from companies, schools, and other organizations how to adapt or repair toys so that children with disabilities can use them to play and learn. Initially, free toy repair and adapting services were provided to 2 Cuyahoga County agencies. They’ve now expanded to provide services to over 180 agencies, schools, and hospitals in 14 Northeast Ohio counties. The programs have also grown, and now include educational toy adapting workshops at schools, adapting ride-on cars for mobility, and toy workshops for employee team-building sessions.&nbsp;

What began as an initiative to introduce youth to skiing has evolved into a comprehensive program that bridges culturally relevant education with transformative outdoor experiences. The mission centers on youth and family engagement. An emphasis is placed on place-based environmental education and restorative practices, creating transformative experiences that connect communities to outdoor spaces that include Mountain Biking, Skiing, Camping, Swimming, Scuba Diving and others. Throughout the cohorts are STEM-based learning activities, mentorship programming, and leadership development initiatives.

University Settlement (US) has provided social services to the Broadway Slavic Village neighborhood of Cleveland since 1926. The Settlement is Slavic Village's anchor social service agency, annually serving over 13,000 of the community's 19,000 residents. University Settlement also serves 14 zip codes in the Southwest suburb through family services. Current services focus on helping youth, seniors, and families identify and overcome barriers of poverty and inequity in order to reach their highest potential.

Monsters Community Foundation Spring 2025 Grant Recipients&nbsp;&nbsp;

ELA's mission is to help young people develop their most valuable asset - themselves. ELA was founded in 2008 and their work over the last 17 years has centered on equipping young people to be their best selves, equipped with the leadership and power skills they need to lead productive, meaningful lives. The Founder and Executive Director adapted a corporate leadership curriculum, which she originally developed for the largest training hospital in the UK, to better serve the unique developmental needs of students in grades 5–12 and their educators. They have won local, state, and national recognition for the social-emotional elements of their programs and have served over 55,000 Northeast Ohio (Cuyahoga, Lorain, and Lake Counties, and further expansion into additional counties planned) students since their founding.&nbsp;

FrontLine Service's mission is "Reaching out to adults and children in Northeast Ohio to end homelessness, prevent suicide, resolve behavioral health crisis, and overcome trauma." FrontLine was founded in 1988 to reach out to the growing number of people in Cuyahoga County who were experiencing homelessness and struggling with severe mental illness. FrontLine staff went into the community, walking up and down streets, to build the trust necessary for these adults to accept help. By bringing services directly to those in need, FrontLine staff helped these adults vastly improve their quality of life.

Since 2020, Humble Design Cleveland has transformed just under 400 empty houses into beautiful, fully furnished and decorated homes at no cost to those they serve. They have welcomed home over 1100 Clevelanders, the bulk of them being children, so that their lives are changed for good. Each week, they turn two empty houses into personalized homes for individuals, families, and veterans emerging from homelessness. They do this using community donated furniture and household goods to create a space that allows each family member to thrive.

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Cavs and Monsters Community Foundations Grant $510,000 to Northeast Ohio Nonprofits

The Wine & Gold weren’t on the clock until late in the 2025 NBA Draft’s Second Round, and they made a pair of selections who might also have to exercise some patience before they can contribute to a loaded roster that finished atop the Eastern Conference last year. 

With the 49th&nbsp;overall pick, the Cavs tabbed guard Tyrese Proctor out of Duke and with the penultimate pick of the Draft, selected forward Saliou Niang, a forward from Senegal currently playing for Aquila Trento in the Italian League. Both players just turned 21 this past spring.&nbsp;

Proctor (6-4, 183) will be more familiar to NBA fans, having played three seasons with the Blue Devils, helping lead them to a Final Four appearance last year. The lithe combo guard was born and raised in Australia and contributed right away at Duke – improving his shooting mark every year on the job. As a junior, Proctor shot 45 percent from the floor and 41 percent from three-point range.&nbsp;

Niang (6-8, 204) helped Aqulia Basket Trento win the Italian Basketball Cup last year. He averaged 8.2 points, 5.2 boards and 1.4 assists in 29 games and was named the&nbsp;Most Improved Player in the Lega Basket Serie A.&nbsp;

With both players, as with most of this year’s draftees, it’s not all about where they are now. It’s about what they’ll be in a few years. The Cavaliers rotation – one that includes three All-Stars, the league’s field goal percentage leader and two top Sixth Man candidates – is not an easy one to crack. Just ask last year’s top pick, Jaylon Tyson.&nbsp;

Niang will spend next season continuing his development overseas, but the team’s brass is willing to wait.&nbsp;

“He's 21, but in basketball years, (Niang) is probably around 18 or 19,” said Cavaliers GM Mike Gansey. “The last two years, the strides he's made have been pretty incredible. (He’s) super athletic, really long, and can really guard. He was just the NBA Euro Camp Defensive Player of the Year. So, he's really good on the defensive side of the ball. He can slash, he’s a good cutter and a good finisher around the rim. But he's really got to improve his three-point shooting. He’s not a great shooter right now, but it's improving. 

“But we're just excited. We got two talented, two high-character, and two very good players that we're excited to have in our program here.”&nbsp;

Proctor is a much more well-known commodity. He started all 38 games on a loaded Duke team last year. (He was one of five Blue Devils selected in this year’s Draft.) As a junior, he averaged&nbsp;12.4 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists. He ranked fourth in the ACC in three-point percentage (.405) and three-point field goals made per game (2.34).&nbsp;

The native Aussie, whose dad played professionally for the Sydney Kings, was a 2024-25 All-ACC Third Team selection and ACC All-Tournament Second Team pick. In three seasons in Durham, Proctor appeared in 106 games (97 starts), averaging 10.8 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists.

“(Proctor) is 6-5, and I'm sure when you guys see him when he comes into town for Summer League, he's gotten stronger in his upper body,” said Gansey. “As you watched these NBA Playoffs, every team can guard you. You saw the Finals, two of the best defensive teams in the league. So especially at his size, I think he’s very, very intriguing. And him getting stronger and playing in a great program at Duke, he learned how to defend. And now coming to the NBA, we thought he can be definitely a two-way player along with his offensive skillset.”&nbsp;

Cavs fans will get a better look at their new draftees when Las Vegas Summer League tips off on July 10.&nbsp;

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A Look at the Newest Cavaliers

Matthew Gold

Cleveland Cavaliers Mike Gansey spoke with the media from Cleveland Clinic Courts following the NBA Draft on June 26, 2025.

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Post-Draft Media Availability | Mike Gansey | 6.26.2025

Cavaliers

CLEVELAND – The Cleveland Cavaliers selected guard&nbsp;Tyrese Proctor (Duke)&nbsp;with the 49th overall pick and guard/forward&nbsp;Saliou Niang (Trento - Italy)&nbsp;with the 58th&nbsp;overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft.

Proctor&nbsp;(6-4, 183) appeared in 38 games (all starts) as a junior for Duke this past season, averaging 12.4 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 29.9 minutes. Proctor also ranked fourth in the ACC in three-point percentage (.405) and three-point field goals made per game (2.34) while also ranking fourth in program history (25th&nbsp;in NCAA Division I) in assist-turnover ratio (2.33). Proctor also led Duke to its 23rd&nbsp;ACC Tournament championship, contributing 19 points on a career-high six three-pointers made in the game and was named a 2024-25 All-ACC Third Team selection and ACC All-Tournament Second Team pick. In his career with the Blue Devils, Proctor appeared in 106 games (97 starts), averaging 10.8 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 29.9 minutes.&nbsp; The NBA Academy alumnus was the 14th player to be drafted or sign with an NBA team.

Niang&nbsp;(6-8, 204), a native of Senegal, appeared in 29 games (10 starts) for Trento in Italy, averaging 8.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 20.3 minutes. Niang was named the Most Improved Player in the Lega Basket Serie A and was a 2025 Italian National Cup winner.

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Cavaliers Select Two Players in the 2025 NBA Draft

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Saliou Niang was selected with the 58th overall pick in the NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers! Here is his scouting report and interview with ESPN after being selected.

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Saliou Niang Drafted at No. 58

The NBA ESPN crew breaks down the Cavaliers No. 49 overall selection of the draft, Tyrese Proctor, a guard from Duke University.

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Tyrese Proctor Scouting Report

The Dallas Mavericks have been on the clock since winning the Lottery in mid-May, but on Wednesday night the rest of the league got their shot to infuse new life into the Association with the 2025 Draft tipping-off in Brooklyn. 

The Wine & Gold didn't have a First Rounder in this year’s Draft, but they will make a pair of selections in the Second Round – picks No. 49 and No. 58. 

After the Mavericks chose Cooper Flagg with the top overall pick, it’s anyone’s guess what happens from there, especially once we get to the Second Round. But here’s a look at five players that the Cavaliers could consider when they’re finally on the clock on Thursday night. 

Johni Broome (6-9, 249) – Center – Auburn&nbsp;

Broome began his college career at Morehead State, where he was named Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Year and was the OVC’s Defensive player of the year as a sophomore,&nbsp;

The accomplished big man then transferred to Auburn and was named Second Team All-SEC as a junior. In his final season, he averaged 18.6 points, 10.8 reb and 2.1 blocks and took home a bunch of hardware for the effort – winning the Karl Malone Award and Pete Newell Big Man Award. He was named First Team All-America and the SEC Player of the Year. He led the Tigers in points, rebounds, assists and blocks as a senior as was named&nbsp;Sporting News&nbsp;Men’s College Basketball Player of the Year

Broome does most of his work in the paint and is an excellent offensive rebounder. He’s considered a “small five” who can block shots, run the floor, and clean the glass. As a undersized big man, he’ll need to sharpen up his outside shooting touch at the next level. 

Vladislav Goldin (7-1, 250) – Center – Michigan

The native Russian, who grew up as a competitive wrestler before converting to basketball, transferred to Michigan after starting his career with Texas Tech and moving on to Florida Atlantic – averaging 16.6ppg, 7.0rpg, 1.4blk as a senior. 

The rugged big man, who led FAU to the Elite Eight in 2023, earned all-conference honors in three of his college seasons and was All-Big Ten in 2025. Last season, he had his best games against top competition – averaging 26.0 points, 7.0 reb, 2.25 blocks and shot 71 percent against ranked opponents last year, including a career-high 36 points against UCLA.&nbsp;

Last season, Goldin notched seven double-doubles, was the MVP of the Big Ten tournament and led the Wolverines to the Sweet Sixteen. He’s an older prospect with great footwork in the post, dominates on the glass and can finish with both hands. He should be able to contribute right away at the NBA level.&nbsp;

Kam Jones (6-3, 202) – Guard – Marquette

Jones, a combo guard who boxed as a youngster, doesn’t have jump-out-of-the-gym athleticism, but makes up for it with a feisty floor game. In his senior season at Marquette, he was named Second Team All-American and First Team All-Big East and helped lead Marquette to the Tournament’s Sweet 16. He was a Bob Cousy Award finalist last season, and won Big East Player of the Week six times over his career. 

The durable Memphis native played in at least 30 games all four seasons and notched double-figure scoring in each of his last 50 games at Marquette. He left as the school’s second all-time leading scorer&nbsp;

Javon Small (6-1, 190) – Guard – West Virginia

Small, who started his college career with East Carolina, then moved to Oklahoma State before completing his career with West Virginia, saved some of his top performances for top competition – going off for 31 points in a win over Gonzaga and doubling-up and hitting the game-winning free throws in an upset over Kansas.&nbsp;

Small averaged 18.6ppg as a senior at WVU, finished the season tied for the Big 12 scoring title and was named to the All-Big 12 First Team and was an Honorable Mention All-American. Although he lacks ideal size, he’s still a pesky defender who can create his own shot. He’s a solid two-way player, a proven shot-maker who loves to get his teammates involved. 

Rocco Zikarsky (7-2, 227) – Center – Australia&nbsp;

The hulking Aussie center, whose father was an Olympic swimmer and whose mother was an ironwoman champion – began playing professional ball at age 16. A pure old-school center, he played in 49 games down under, but started only one. His numbers (4.7ppg, 3.5rpg) won’t blow anyone away, but he reportedly impressed scouts at the 2025 Draft Combine in May.&nbsp;

At 7-2, Zikarsky is considered a pure center who does his work exclusively around the basket. He has active hands, is a willing defender and an outstanding rebounder, especially on the offensive glass. Zikarsky won’t be stepping out beyond the arc and is viewed as an Isaiah Hartenstein-type big man.&nbsp;

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Second Round Draft Prospects

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2024‑25 Season