Larry Donnell Nance Jr. Bio
Larry Donnell Nance Jr. is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on January 1, 1993, in Akron, Ohio, Nance has built a solid NBA career spanning multiple teams since being drafted in 2015. The son of NBA legend Larry Nance Sr., he carries on a distinguished basketball legacy while establishing his own identity as a versatile power forward and center known for his defensive prowess and consistent contributions on the court.
Early Life and Background
Larry Nance Jr. grew up in Akron, Ohio, attending Revere High School in nearby Richfield. During his high school years, he experienced a significant growth spurt, standing at just 5 feet 11 inches as a freshman point guard before reaching 6 feet 7 inches by his senior year. This remarkable growth transformed him from a guard into a formidable forward prospect. As a senior at Revere High School, Nance averaged 18.2 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game, demonstrating the two-way play that would define his collegiate and professional career.
Family basketball tradition ran deep in the Nance household. Larry Nance Jr. is the son of Larry Nance Sr., a former professional basketball player who spent the majority of his NBA career with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Phoenix Suns. The elder Nance was a three-time NBA All-Star and won the inaugural Slam Dunk Contest in 1984, setting the bar high for his son’s future aspirations. Nance Jr. also had athletic siblings, with his older sister Casey playing college basketball at Dayton and his younger brother Pete playing at Northwestern before transferring to North Carolina.
Path to Professional Basketball
After an impressive high school career, Nance Jr. continued his basketball journey at the University of Wyoming, playing for the Wyoming Cowboys from 2011 to 2015. In his four-year collegiate career, he appeared in 123 games and averaged 11.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game. His consistent two-way performance made him one of the most respected big men in the Mountain West Conference during his tenure.
Nance Jr.’s collegiate accolades speak to his dominance in the conference. He earned First-team All-Mountain West Conference honors twice, in both 2014 and 2015, while also being named the MWC Defensive Player of the Year in 2015. Additionally, he was selected to the MWC All-Defensive Team in both 2014 and 2015, cementing his reputation as one of the best two-way players in conference history. His impressive college career positioned him well for the 2015 NBA Draft.
Larry Donnell Nance Jr. Career
Los Angeles Lakers (2015–2018)
On June 25, 2015, Larry Nance Jr. was selected with the 27th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. He signed his rookie-scale contract with the team on July 10, beginning his professional journey with the storied franchise. Nance made his NBA debut on November 6, 2015, against the Brooklyn Nets, recording six points and five rebounds in a 104-98 victory. He earned his first career start on December 7, stepping into the starting power forward role against the Toronto Raptors.
During his rookie season, Nance recorded his first career double-double on December 27, posting a season-high 17 points and 11 rebounds in a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. He continued to develop throughout the 2016-17 season, matching his career-high of 18 points multiple times and showing his ability to contribute across the stat sheet. A knee injury in December 2016 sidelined him for four weeks, but he returned to action in January 2017. The 2017-18 season saw Nance Jr. continue his solid play before his eventual trade.
Cleveland Cavaliers First Stint (2018–2021)
On February 8, 2018, Nance was traded to his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers in a deal that sent him and Jordan Clarkson to Ohio in exchange for Isaiah Thomas, Channing Frye, and a first-round draft pick. The trade marked a homecoming for Nance, as he switched from jersey number 24 to number 22 after the NBA granted him permission to wear his father’s retired number. This symbolic gesture connected his career directly to his father’s legacy with the Cavaliers.
His Cavaliers debut proved memorable, as Nance posted career highs of 22 points and 15 rebounds in his first start for the team on March 5, 2018, helping Cleveland defeat the Detroit Pistons 112-90. He played a crucial role in the Cavaliers’ run to the 2018 NBA Finals, where they faced the Golden State Warriors, though the team lost the series in four games. On October 15, 2018, Nance signed a four-year, $44.8 million contract extension with Cleveland, rewarding his strong early contributions to the team.
Throughout the 2019-20 season, Nance reached new career heights, averaging a career-best 10.1 points per game while recording a career-high 23 points in a win over the Atlanta Hawks on February 12, 2020. His consistency and defensive versatility remained hallmarks of his game during his remaining years in Cleveland before his departure.
Portland Trail Blazers (2021–2022)
On August 28, 2021, Nance was acquired by the Portland Trail Blazers in a three-team sign-and-trade involving the Chicago Bulls. He made his Trail Blazers debut on October 20, 2021, contributing two points, three rebounds, and two assists in a narrow loss to the Sacramento Kings. His tenure in Portland was relatively brief, spanning parts of two seasons before he was traded again.
New Orleans Pelicans (2022–2024)
On February 8, 2022, Nance was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans as part of a major multiplayer deal that sent CJ McCollum to Portland. Three days after the trade, he underwent arthroscopic right knee surgery, which affected his availability during the latter portion of the 2021-22 season. Upon recovery, he became a solid contributor for the Pelicans, providing frontcourt depth and veteran experience. On October 1, 2022, Nance signed a two-year, $21.6 million contract extension with New Orleans, reflecting the team’s confidence in his abilities.
Atlanta Hawks (2024–2025)
On July 6, 2024, Nance joined the Atlanta Hawks in a significant trade that sent Dejounte Murray to New Orleans. The deal also included E.J. Liddell, Dyson Daniels, Cody Zeller, and future draft picks. In 24 appearances with Atlanta during the 2024-25 NBA season, he averaged 8.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. However, his season was cut short on March 26, 2025, when he was ruled out for the remainder of the campaign due to a lingering right medial femoral condyle fracture.
Return to Cleveland (2025–present)
On July 6, 2025, Larry Nance Jr. returned to where his NBA journey began in many ways, signing with the Cleveland Cavaliers. This homecoming reunited him with the franchise that his father helped make famous and allowed him to continue his career with the team that holds a special place in the family legacy.
Playing Style and Strengths
Larry Nance Jr. has carved out a reputation as a reliable two-way player throughout his NBA career. Standing at 6 feet 6 inches with solid strength, he plays the power forward and center positions with intelligence and energy. His defensive instincts are particularly noteworthy, having earned conference Defensive Player of the Year honors in college and maintaining that reputation at the professional level. Nance is known for his rebounding ability, basketball IQ, and the versatility to contribute in multiple facets of the game without requiring plays run specifically for him.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Nance Jr.’s career highlights was his participation in the 2018 Slam Dunk Contest, where he finished as the runner-up. One of his dunks paid tribute to his father, as he donned a retro 1984 Phoenix Suns uniform and performed a cradle dunk reminiscent of his father’s winning dunk from the inaugural contest. The moment became even more special when Larry Sr. and Jr. teamed up for an alley-oop dunk, with the father throwing the ball up for his son to slam through the hoop, creating a memorable father-son basketball moment.
Larry Donnell Nance Jr. Career Highlights
Throughout his NBA career spanning multiple teams, Larry Nance Jr. has established himself as a consistent and valuable rotation player. While he has never served as a primary star, his contributions on both ends of the floor have made him a trusted teammate and reliable contributor across various systems and rosters.
College and Minor Honors
At Wyoming, Nance earned numerous accolades during his four-year career, including being named First-team All-Mountain West Conference in both 2014 and 2015. His MWC Defensive Player of the Year award in 2015 highlighted his impact as a rim protector and defensive anchor. His consistent performance in college translated into a successful transition to the professional level.
NBA Career Highlights
In the NBA, Nance has accumulated hundreds of games of experience across five franchises. His career-high single-game performances include 23 points, 19 rebounds, and notable contributions in steals and assists during key games. His best statistical season came during the 2019-20 campaign with Cleveland, when he averaged 10.1 points per game while continuing his strong rebounding and defensive efforts.
Larry Nance Jr. Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Larry Nance Jr. comes from an exceptional basketball family. His father, Larry Nance Sr., was a three-time NBA All-Star who played primarily for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Phoenix Suns from 1981 to 1994. The elder Nance won the inaugural NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 1984 while with the Suns, a legacy that would inspire his son decades later. Nance Sr.’s retired jersey number 22 with Cleveland remains a tribute to his contributions to the franchise.
Nance Jr.’s siblings have also pursued basketball at high levels. His older sister Casey played at Revere High School and later for the NCAA Division I Dayton Flyers for four years. His younger brother Pete played at Revere High School, then spent time at Northwestern before transferring to the North Carolina Tar Heels in 2022 with his extra year of COVID eligibility.
Personal Life
Off the court, Larry Nance Jr. has faced significant challenges with grace and determination. At the age of 16, he was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, a chronic inflammatory bowel condition, which he has managed throughout his basketball career. In 2018, Nance Jr. married his longtime girlfriend Hailey Pince, uniting his personal life as he continued his professional basketball journey.
Nance has also developed interests beyond basketball. He became a part owner of Leeds United F.C., the English soccer club, in 2023 as part of his involvement with 49ers Enterprises, the investment arm of the San Francisco 49ers. This venture into sports ownership demonstrates his interest in building a portfolio that extends beyond his playing career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks a new chapter in Larry Nance Jr.’s career as he returns to the Cleveland Cavaliers organization. After a brief stint with the Atlanta Hawks was cut short due to a knee injury, Nance signed with Cleveland on a minimum contract in July 2025. This homecoming provides him with an opportunity to contribute to a franchise with playoff aspirations while potentially ending his career where it began in the truest sense.
Nance’s role with the Cavaliers will likely involve providing frontcourt depth and veteran leadership as the team looks to build on recent successes. His experience from multiple NBA seasons and playoff appearances, including a trip to the NBA Finals with Cleveland in 2018, gives him valuable perspective that can benefit a young team. His ability to defend multiple positions and grab rebounds consistently remains his calling card as he enters this new phase of his career.