Pete Nance views 10-day contract with Cavs as great step, but maintains motivation to work

INDEPENDENCE — After the Cleveland Charge captured a road win over the Westchester Knicks earlier this week, coach Mike Gerrity announced to the team Pete Nance would receive a 10-day contract with the Cavaliers.

The progress Nance made with the franchise's Summer League championship team and the NBA G League Charge had been rewarded. The Revere High School graduate signed his contract Thursday and addressed media members Friday after the Cavs practiced at Cleveland Clinic Courts.

“Honestly, it felt just really good,” Nance said of joining the Cavs roster. “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. Hard work is paying off, but there's definitely a lot of motivation to keep working.”

The possibility of Nance appearing in a game with the Cavs is especially intriguing because his father, Larry Nance Sr., built a legacy with the team from 1987-94 and his older brother, Larry Nance Jr., also played for Cleveland from 2018-21. Larry Nance Sr. and his wife, Jaynee, remained in the area after his NBA retirement and raised their family in Bath Township.

“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,” Pete Nance said. “It's something I've thought about my whole life, for sure, so it's just a really awesome moment for me.”

A 6-foot-11 rookie forward, Nance averaged 13.3 points on 49.6% shooting from the field, 7.6 rebounds, three assists, 1.4 blocked shots and 31 minutes in 22 games this season with the Charge.

“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,” Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “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.

“It goes back to the summer and even training camp, to be honest with you. You watch him, and he's one of those guys that asks the right questions. He's one of those guys that you only have to tell one time. A lot of rookies come in the league and they can be in the third or fourth position and they make a mistake after watching the first guys go, and Pete is never that way.

“He pays attention, he watches, he locks in, and then 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. So that's what the league is about now — those Swiss Army knives at that size with that athleticism.”

To Bickerstaff's point about versatility, Nance recorded a triple-double on Jan. 10, with 27 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists to help the Charge defeat the Indiana Mad Ants. Nance said it was the first triple-double he's ever produced and the enthusiasm with which his teammates celebrated the moment created a special memory.

Asked whether he knew Nance had a triple-double in him, Bickerstaff said, “No, you never know. But, again, you put the ball in guys' hands who are intelligent and skilled, and those things are possible. So not surprised by it, but it's just great for him to get the opportunity to go out and do it.”

With Nance's latest opportunity, he said he plans to absorb all of the knowledge he can from Cavs players. He was able to practice with them through the Summer League and during training camp.

“I saw he got a 10-day signing,” Cavs center Jarrett Allen said. “I'm super happy for him, actually. One of the hardest workers out here during training camp.

“It was fun playing against him. He ran the floor. One thing with him I remember, I was like, 'How'd you get down the floor so fast?' Their team would get the rebound, and he's on the other end laying it up.”

Since then, Nance has improved his game, and he pointed to two specific areas.

“Defense is really important at this level,” said Nance, who will wear No. 8 on his Cavs jersey. “If you can't defend, then you can't play, so being able to guard multiple positions and protect the rim [has been a priority]. But also just 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 at it, and I think it's really coming along.”

Nance played basketball for four seasons at Northwestern University and one at the University of North Carolina before going undrafted last summer and signing with the Cavs. Nance and his brother, who's now a New Orleans Pelicans forward, remained confident he belonged in the NBA despite every team forgoing a chance to draft him.

A year ago, Larry Nance Jr. told the Beacon Journal he “would love nothing more than to lace up against” Pete in the NBA one day.

Larry Nance Jr. Q&A: Former Cavs player reflects on soccer ownership and brother Pete's shot

As expected, the younger Nance has received advice from his brother about how to approach his 10-day contract.

“He definitely just told me enjoy the moment, but definitely just take every opportunity you can to seize the moment at the same time,” Pete Nance said. “It's a rare opportunity for guys in my position, so definitely don't waste it, but also have fun at the same time.”

Nance and the Cavs (24-15) will begin a four-game road trip Saturday in Atlanta, and many fans in Northeast Ohio will be on the lookout for his NBA regular-season debut.

More about local players in the NBA: Larry Nance Jr. and CJ McCollum unite as Pelicans teammates with Ohio ties: '330 vs. everybody'

Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cavs rookie Pete Nance reflects on signing 10-day contract