Wichita State’s Craig Porter Jr. agrees to two-way NBA contract with Cleveland Cavaliers

The NBA dream came to fruition in the early hours of Friday for Wichita State graduate Craig Porter Jr., who agreed to a two-way contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers following the conclusion of the NBA Draft.

While the Terre Haute, Ind. native held out hope he could possibly hear his name called sometime late in the second round, landing a two-way contract is the next-best thing to being drafted.

Two-way contracts allow NBA teams to move the player between the NBA team and its G League affiliate throughout the season, essentially allowing NBA teams to keep undrafted players “on retainer” without signing them to a full-time contract. Each NBA team is allowed to offer three two-way contracts per season to players with fewer than four years of NBA experience.

It’s likely Porter will begin his career playing for the Cavaliers’ G League team, the Cleveland Charge, although he could play up to 50 games in the NBA for the Cavaliers on his two-way contract. He is also guaranteed a first-year salary of approximately $551,000.

It’s not a complete surprise Porter was ultimately scooped up by Cleveland, as the Cavaliers were one of nine NBA teams that the former Wichita State star point guard worked out for in the pre-draft process. The 6-foot-2 point guard had little NBA buzz early in the process, but agent Ryan Straining helped secure invitations to showcase tournaments where Porter excelled and quickly gained steam as an intriguing defensive prospect.

After winning an NJCAA national championship at Vincennes University, Porter completed a three-year standout career with the Shockers. His stock exploded during this past season playing under coach Isaac Brown, as Porter earned all-conference honors in the American Athletic Conference after averaging 13.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks.

It’s likely Porter will get his first taste of NBA action playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas from July 7-17. The schedule has yet to be finalized, but should be announced soon by the NBA.