Cavs’ Larry Nance Jr. makes sister Casey proud as he returns to Cleveland as WNBA advocate
When Larry Nance Jr. visited Rocket Arena as a member of the Atlanta Hawks last November, he wore a Cleveland Rockers T-shirt.
At the time, Cleveland had yet to officially secure a new WNBA franchise, but Nance told the Beacon Journal on Nov. 27, 2024, his wardrobe choice was a way of lobbying for it to happen.
The wish came true when the WNBA awarded a team to Cleveland on June 30, with a debut set for the 2028 season. The next day, on July 1, Nance agreed to return to the Cavs on a one-year, $3.6 million contract.
The timing, albeit a coincidence, is fitting because Nance is a staunch supporter of women’s basketball.
Casey Nance starred in basketball at Revere High School, paving way for brothers Larry Jr. and Pete
Cavs fans know Nance’s father, Larry Nance Sr., is a franchise legend. Most of them also know Nance’s younger brother, Pete, spent time with the Cavs organization the past two seasons and is now with the Milwaukee Bucks.
But not as many Cavs fans know Casey Nance became a Summit County basketball star at Revere High School before her younger brothers followed suit. Her influence remains relevant as Larry Nance Jr. enters his 11th NBA season and second stint with the Cavs. Cleveland is scheduled to tip off its 2025-26 regular season at 7 p.m. Oct. 22 at the New York Knicks.
“My sister was the best of us,” Larry Nance Jr. said. “She was just dominant when she played. She was stellar. Growing up, I got to see her dominate at every level she played at, which did just kind of show me exactly what works. All right, well, I’m following up. I’ve got to stay at her high standards. She definitely set the bar high and has continued to do so in life.
“It’s bigger than just basketball in terms of that. So, I’m thrilled for Cleveland [to get a WNBA team]. I’m thrilled for the little girls that get to watch these women play and my family as well. I’m thrilled for Casey. I’m thrilled for her wife, Cassie, that they get to watch more games. I’m thrilled for my daughters. It’s a really exciting time, and I’m excited to be here during it.”
In four seasons at Revere, Casey Nance compiled 1,037 points, 1,113 rebounds and 281 blocked shots, earning a McDonald’s All-America nominee as a senior. She graduated from Revere in 2008, Larry Nance Jr. in 2011 and Pete in 2018. The Revere girls and boys basketball programs retired jersey No. 22 last year to honor the Nance siblings.
During Casey Nance’s four seasons at the University of Dayton, she was an Atlantic 10 Conference All-Rookie and All-Defensive team selection and a three-time recipient of the Arthur Ashe Scholar Athlete Award. She helped Dayton earn three trips to the NCAA Tournament and capture the program’s first A-10 tournament title in 2012.
Casey Nance also met her wife, Cassie Sant, at Dayton, where they were basketball teammates.
Casey works for KeyBank in meetings and events. Cassie works for the Cavs as a graphic designer in the organization’s marketing department. The couple live in Akron and have an 8-month-old son.
Uncle Larry returning to the Cavs while championing the WNBA’s Cleveland comeback has thrilled his sister. The Cleveland Rockers became one of eight WNBA charter organizations in 1996 and played seven seasons (1997-2003).
“Larry has a lot of amazing qualities,” Casey Nance said. “He’s a great player and a great person, but his ability to be in tune with social justice issues and representing traditionally underrepresented groups is probably one of his, to me, greatest traits. [Larry] just always advocating to do better, not only for women in sports, but other underserved groups in our communities, is something that is so inspiring.
“He has two amazing daughters. To just show them his support for women and obviously manifesting in this way in sports, but really just supporting women in whatever they want to do, whether that’s being a wonderful mom, a ballerina, a teacher, a sports writer, just proving that you can truly do anything you set your mind to, I think, is a message that resonates with every person, or at least I hope that it should. So, we just cannot be more proud of him for using his voice for good and to help others.”
Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson says Larry Nance Jr. ‘fits the Cavs culture’
A 6-foot-8 forward/center, Larry Nance Jr. also wants to help the Cavs win a championship.
In an injury-shortened 2024-25 season, Nance played 24 games with the Hawks and averaged 8.5 points on 51.6% shooting from the floor (44.7% on 3-pointers), 4.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 19.3 minutes. His career averages are 7.7 points on 53.9% shooting from the field (35.3% on 3s), 6.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 23.1 minutes.
Larry Nance Jr. reflects on reuniting with Cavs in media day video
Revere High School graduate Larry Nance Jr. reunited with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the offseason and discussed his enthusiasm during media day.
The 32-year-old Nance’s character and leadership are other assets the Cavs value.
“He just fits the Cavs culture,” Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said. “He’s coachable. He’s a great locker room guy. Guys love him. He just fits in, fits in with the group. Anytime you bring someone into a locker room like this, that’s the most important thing, and then I think he’s fit in tactically and positionally.”
Nance’s first stint with the Cavs spanned 2018-21, but he always experienced nostalgia whenever he returned to Cleveland as a visiting player in subsequent seasons.
“There were moments throughout the past few years that I’d kind of nudge my parents or my wife and kind of just be like, ‘Man, I feel like they could use what I do,'” Nance said. “And, fortunately, the opportunity opened up this summer, and I expect the most of it.”
Casey Nance learned about her oldest brother’s return to the Cavs as she arrived to his house in Bath for a visit.
“Larry wasn’t home, but I was at his house with his wife and his daughters, or just pulling in with my son for dinner or something, and he called me as I was pulling in,” Casey Nance said. “He was like, ‘Hey, I just want you to know in about five minutes the news is going to be released that I’m coming back.’
“I thought he just saw me on the security camera or something and wanted to say hi, but he was calling to tell us great news. We’re so excited. We’re a really close-knit family. The fact that we were all together is just kind of poetic because we really do enjoy spending a lot of time together. It’s so wonderful. We’re so thankful to the organization for bringing him back and just so happy that the stars could align.”
If Casey Nance has her way, she explained, Larry Nance Jr. will one day work for Cleveland’s WNBA franchise. In the meantime, he has a ring to pursue.
Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
