When the UNC men’s basketball team landed Northwestern transfer Pete Nance in the portal, it was expected he’d be able to step in immediately and replace Brady Manek’s production.
Nance came into Chapel Hill before the 2022-2023 campaign, one that had high hopes after a NCAA Championship Game appearance the year before. The youngest Nance would be playing alongside returners Caleb Love, R.J. Davis, Leaky Black and Armando Bacot.
Nance played stellar basketball during his one season in baby blue, averaging 10 points and six rebounds per game. Those weren’t quite the numbers fans were hoping for, especially for the transfer portal’s top player.
It’s safe to say professional basketball is off to a better start for the youngest Nance, who signed a contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023.
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Nance will officially be joining a talented, young roster expected to be among the NBA’s best in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland sports a starting lineup of Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus (acquired in offseason), Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, while having talented veterans like Caris LeVert and Ricky Rubio on the second unit.
There’s no telling what position Nance will play when he takes the court, but you can bet on either power forward or center.
The most unique component of Nance’s signing is the family connection. His older brother, Larry Jr. (2017-2021) and dad, Larry (1988-1994), both spent several years in Cleveland.
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