Larry Nance Jr.

Lore & Background

Nance attended Revere High School near Akron, Ohio. In his four-year college career at Wyoming, he averaged 11.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks in 123 games. He was selected 27th overall in the 2015 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. After his draft, an old tweet from 2012 referencing Kobe Bryant's 2003 rape incident resurfaced; Nance deleted the tweet, and Bryant called the controversy 'water under the bridge.' Nance signed his rookie scale contract on July 10, 2015. He made his NBA debut on November 6, 2015, against the Brooklyn Nets. On February 8, 2018, he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he helped the team reach the 2018 NBA Finals. He later played for the Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans, and Atlanta Hawks before returning to Cleveland in 2025 and signing with the Indiana Pacers in 2026.

Reader's Guide

Larry Nance Jr. is a forward/center known for his athleticism and defensive versatility. He has averaged career highs of 10.1 points per game (2019–20) and 8.2 rebounds per game (2018–19). He has worn jersey numbers 24 and 22 during his NBA career. His father, Larry Nance Sr., wore No. 22 with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the NBA allowed Larry Jr. to wear No. 22 starting February 22, 2018.

Did You Know?

• Nance recorded a career-high 23 points on February 12, 2020, against the Atlanta Hawks.
• He grabbed a career-high 19 rebounds on February 8, 2019, against the Washington Wizards.
• Nance matched his career-high of 18 points on February 3, 2017, against the Boston Celtics.
• He recorded a season-high six steals on November 1, 2016, against the Indiana Pacers.