Cleveland Cavaliers Select Duke’s Tyrese Proctor with No. 49 Pick in 2025 NBA Draft…

Cleveland Cavaliers Select Duke’s Tyrese Proctor with No. 49 Pick in 2025 NBA Draft

 

June 26, 2025 — The Cleveland Cavaliers added backcourt depth on Thursday night by selecting Duke guard Tyrese Proctor with the No. 49 overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft.

Proctor, a 6-foot-5 playmaker from Sydney, Australia, spent two seasons with the Blue Devils, showcasing his high basketball IQ, defensive tenacity, and ability to create offense for both himself and his teammates. Once considered a potential first-round prospect, Proctor saw his draft stock fluctuate due to inconsistent shooting and injuries during his sophomore campaign. Still, his mature game and versatility made him a compelling value pick for the Cavaliers late in the draft.

“We’re thrilled to add Tyrese to the organization,” Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman said in a post-draft media session. “He’s an intelligent, unselfish guard who competes on both ends and understands how to run an offense. We believe his best basketball is ahead of him.”

During the 2024–25 season at Duke, Proctor averaged 11.8 points, 4.9 assists, and 3.4 rebounds per game while shooting 42.1% from the field and 33.5% from beyond the arc. He was a key piece of Jon Scheyer’s system, often taking on both scoring and facilitating responsibilities depending on the matchup. His ability to guard multiple positions and his court vision stood out to scouts throughout the season.

Proctor entered Duke in 2022 as a highly touted international prospect. After reclassifying to the 2022 recruiting class, he joined the Blue Devils as a 17-year-old and quickly carved out a role in a competitive ACC landscape. Over his two years in Durham, he matured into a floor general known as much for his poise as his playmaking.

For Cleveland, Proctor could become a long-term developmental piece behind All-Star guards Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell. With Ricky Rubio retiring last year and Caris LeVert in the final year of his contract, the Cavs were looking to reinforce their backcourt depth heading into the 2025–26 season.

“Tyrese gives us a different look,” said new Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson. “He’s not the flashiest guy, but he makes smart decisions, he defends, and he has a great feel for the game. We’re excited to get to work with him in Summer League and training camp.”

While Proctor will need to prove himself in the NBA—particularly in improving his three-point consistency and adjusting to the league’s physicality—his foundational skills and international experience (including with Australia’s national team) make him an intriguing prospect for the Cavaliers’ rotation down the road.

Proctor is expected to join the Cavaliers’ Summer League squad in Las Vegas next month, where he’ll get his first opportunity to showcase his skills against fellow NBA rookies and hopefuls.

With the selection of Proctor, the Cavaliers hope they’ve found a second-round gem who can grow into a reliable contributor—and possibly more—in the years to come.