The Akron Beacon Journal recently caught up with 2018 Revere High School graduate Pete Nance after his second season with the Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Summer League team in Las Vegas.
The Cavaliers finished 2-3 last month after compiling a 6-0 record and winning the NBA Summer League championship last season in Las Vegas .
Nance appeared in all five games last month and averaged 11.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.4 assists in 23.0 minutes per game. He shot 46.8 percent from field, including 34.8 percent from 3-point range, and 85.7 percent from the free-throw line.
"I have made a lot of strides, but I am nowhere near where I want to be," Nance said. "I have to continue to get better and keep working hard."
Nance totaled 16 points, eight rebounds and two blocks on July 20 in a 100-93 win over the Indiana Pacers .
The Cavaliers ' other leading scorers were:
Emoni Bates (four games, 16.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 22.3 minutes)
Jaylon Tyson (five games, 15.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.4 steals, 26.2 minutes)
Craig Porter Jr. (three games, 13.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.3 steals, 22.9 minutes)
Luke Travers (four games, 8.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.3 steals, 23.2 minutes)
Here are three questions and answers with Nance, a standout at Revere, Northwesten and North Carolina :
What was your experience like during this year's NBA Summer League games in Las Vegas?
"It was awesome," Nance said. "Being able to have that year of experience in the G League gave me a lot of confidence. I got a couple of call-ups [to the NBA with the Cavaliers], and to be able to be in that position this year, it is a dream come true. I am just hoping to keep the momentum going."
More Cavaliers coverage: Inside Jaylon Tyson's 'basketball journey' and workout that led to Cavs draft selection
What were your impressions of Cavaliers first-round draft pick Jaylon Tyson ?
"He shocked me a lot," Nance said. "For a guy to be a rookie, and to come in and to play with a veteran pace, nobody speeds him up. He is super efficient. It was awesome to watch him. ... He is going to be a really good player in this league, and I am excited for him."
What did you see out of Craig Porter Jr. and Emoni Bates in Summer League?
"Continued growth," Nance said. "We all got that year of experience under our belt. A little rocky last year. Obviously, we won [the Summer League championship last year] and we had veterans Isaiah [Mobley] and Sam [Merrill] on our team. Being able to grow through that and get to this year I think was awesome to have those guys [ Porter and Bates ] by my side and continue to get better."
The NBA Summer League in Las Vegas also included University of Akron graduate Enrique Freeman , former Buchtel and Western Reserve Academy standout Chris Livingston , St. Vincent-St. Mary graduate Jayvon Graves and, of course, Bronny James , LeBron James oldest son .
Graves appeared in three games for the Cavaliers, averaging 5.0 points and 3.3 rebounds in 11.2 minutes. Graves had 11 points and seven rebounds in 20 minutes on July 20 in a 100-93 win over the Indiana Pacers.
"With the makeup of our team, Jayvon had not played a ton of minutes, but to come in and impact the game like he did [against the Pacers] was awesome," Nance said. "It speaks a lot to him and his character. Being able to stay ready and not get frustrated and have a major part in that win was awesome. I am super proud of him."
Livingston played in five games for the Milwaukee Bucks and averaged 14.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 27.7 minutes per game.
James played in four games for the Los Angeles Lakers and averaged 8.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 25.1 minutes per game.
Freeman played in five games for the Indiana Pacers and averaged 8.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.0 block and 1.0 assist in 23.8 minutes per game.
"Being able to play against Enrique , it is awesome to see guys from Akron have success," Nance said. "I wish him all the best in the future, and I am sure I will see him in this league for years to come."
Michael Beaven can be reached by email at mbeaven@thebeaconjournal.com and is on Twitter at @MBeavenABJ .
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Pete Nance improves in NBA Summer League with Cleveland Cavaliers
