Cavs Just Gave Tyrese Proctor the Shot Duke Fans Always Believed He Deserved — Now He’s Poised to Prove Them Right
For two years, Tyrese Proctor was a puzzle wrapped in potential at Duke University—a poised, cerebral guard with NBA tools, flashes of brilliance, and a game mature beyond his age. While others might have dominated highlight reels, Proctor built his reputation on fundamentals, defense, and vision.
Now, the Cleveland Cavaliers are betting big on what Blue Devil fans have known all along: Proctor’s time is coming.
After going undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft—a surprise to many—Proctor quickly signed a Summer League deal with the Cavs. And while it wasn’t the loudest move of the offseason, it might end up being one of the smartest.
“He’s a pro’s pro,” said Cavs Summer League coach Mike Gerrity. “The way he controls the game, reads defenses, defends multiple positions—you don’t see that polish very often in 20-year-olds.”
For Duke fans who followed Proctor’s college career closely, the opportunity in Cleveland feels long overdue. And now, the world may finally see what they’ve seen all along: a floor general ready for the spotlight.
A Duke Career Built on Patience, Poise, and Growth
Tyrese Proctor arrived in Durham earlier than expected. Reclassifying to the 2022 class from Australia, he joined a loaded Duke roster at just 18 years old. Most teenagers in his situation would’ve been overwhelmed. Proctor was different.
Even in his freshman year, flashes of his elite feel for the game stood out: off-the-dribble playmaking, unshakable composure, and stingy perimeter defense. While others pressed for shots, Proctor pressed for reads. He made the right pass. He defended the toughest assignment. He played with a veteran’s calm.
By his sophomore season, he’d earned the starting point guard role under Jon Scheyer and helped lead a young, talented team deep into March. Proctor averaged 12.1 points, 5.7 assists, and 4.1 rebounds as a sophomore—all while guarding the opposing team’s best perimeter scorer every night.
“He didn’t always get the hype, but he did everything you ask of a winning guard,” said Scheyer after the 2024 ACC Tournament. “He’s a coach’s dream.”
But the NBA doesn’t always value subtlety. Proctor declared for the 2025 draft with confidence, but saw his name slide through all 58 picks. The reason? Concerns over scoring upside, shooting consistency, and a deep guard class.
Still, Duke fans weren’t discouraged. They were confused. Because they knew the truth: Proctor is built for the pros.
The Cavs Come Calling — A System That Fits
Enter the Cleveland Cavaliers—a team looking to round out its backcourt depth and find smart, cost-effective players to complement its young core of Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Donovan Mitchell (if he stays long-term).
To Cleveland, Proctor isn’t just a flyer. He’s a fit.
“We loved how he played at Duke—his vision, his control, the way he sets the tempo,” Cavs GM Koby Altman said. “He’s not going to wow you with 30-point games. But he’ll win possessions. He’ll win quarters. Eventually, he’ll help you win games.”
In Summer League practices, Proctor has already started to earn praise for his maturity, leadership, and sharp decision-making. Coaches describe him as “a calming presence,” someone who raises the IQ of every lineup he’s in.
“He talks. He directs traffic. He gets guys in the right spot. That’s gold in the NBA, especially for a second unit,” said Gerrity.
The Cavs are also betting on Proctor’s underrated upside. His frame—6-foot-5 with a nearly 6-foot-8 wingspan—gives him positional versatility. He’s added muscle since college and is shooting the ball with more confidence from deep, reportedly hitting over 40% of his catch-and-shoot threes in recent workouts.
Duke Fans Knew All Along
The Proctor love runs deep among the Duke faithful. From day one, he was a fan favorite—not because he was flashy, but because he was foundational. The kind of player who made everyone better, who played the game the right way, and who showed up when it mattered.
“I remember when we were down eight in the second half at Carolina, and Tyrese just took over the game with calm,” said one Duke fan on Reddit. “No panic. Just poise. That’s who he’s always been.”
Social media lit up when the Cavs signed Proctor. Duke Twitter exploded with support and optimism.
“Cavs got a steal. Tyrese Proctor will outlast half the guards drafted in front of him,” one user posted.
Another wrote: “He’s gonna make a team fall in love with his game. Slow burn. Big payoff.”
That sense of delayed vindication is something Duke fans are used to. Proctor wasn’t always the loudest name on NBA radars, but in Durham, they saw his impact up close—night in and night out.
NBA Comparisons and Long-Term Outlook
While it’s risky to compare young players to current NBA stars, the stylistic comps for Proctor are encouraging.
Scouts have likened him to a young Malcolm Brogdon or Tyrese Haliburton—guards with feel over flash, who make everyone around them better.
“He’s not going to give you a viral highlight every night, but he’s going to keep the ball moving, get guys into rhythm, and take on the hardest defensive matchup without complaint,” said an NBA scout who followed Proctor throughout his sophomore season.
If the shot continues to improve (he shot 36% from three as a sophomore), and if he tightens his handle against quicker NBA defenders, Proctor could carve out a long career as a high-IQ rotation guard—or even a starter in the right system.
What makes him intriguing long-term is his floor. He doesn’t need the ball to contribute. He doesn’t need 20 shots to be effective. He’ll guard, pass, communicate, and make the right play. That’s NBA glue. That’s what sticks.
What’s Next: Summer League and Beyond
Proctor will make his Summer League debut with the Cavs in Las Vegas—a proving ground for hungry rookies and overlooked veterans alike.
It’s a chance to make a statement. And all signs point to him being ready.
“I’ve always believed in doing the little things right,” Proctor told reporters after his first Cavs practice. “That’s how you earn trust—one possession at a time. I’m here to compete and contribute, whatever the role.”
If all goes well in Vegas, Proctor could earn a two-way contract or even a full roster spot heading into training camp. The Cavs are thin at backup point guard, and his ability to play either guard position only enhances his value.
“I’m not worried about titles or starting,” he added. “I just want to help a team win and grow with the right culture. That’s what I had at Duke, and I see that here.”
Tyrese Proctor’s story is not one of overnight stardom. It’s a story of subtle greatness. Of trusting your game. Of playing chess while others play checkers.
For Duke fans, this moment has been a long time coming. They believed in Proctor when others questioned him. They saw the leadership, the defense, the maturity. And now, thanks to the Cavaliers, the rest of the basketball world has a chance to catch up.
It’s not just a shot—it’s the shot he’s always deserved.
And if his history tells us anything, Tyrese Proctor won’t just take it.
He’ll make the most of it.
