INDEPENDENCE — Connections to Akron were prevalent this week at Cleveland Clinic Courts as the Cavaliers Summer League team practiced ahead of NBA 2K25 Summer League 2024 in Las Vegas.

Akronites Pete Nance, Jayvon Graves and Ali Ali competed in practices that included Cavaliers reserve Craig Porter Jr., first-round draft pick Jaylon Tyson and recent second-round draft picks Emoni Bates and Luke Travers.

Nance, Graves, Porter, Tyson, Bates and Travers are on the Cavaliers' 13-man roster headed to Las Vegas.

Bates, Porter, Nance and Travers are returning players from last season's Cavaliers team that won the Summer League championship.

Nance, a 2018 Revere High School graduate, played with the Cavs and the G-League's Cleveland Charge last season as a rookie.

Graves, a 2017 St. Vincent-St. Mary High School graduate, is entering his fourth professional season.

Ali, a 2024 University of Akron graduate, was a non-roster invitee and is not going to Las Vegas.

"It has been great getting to know him and play with him," Nance said of Ali. "Jayvon, I had heard of him. ... State championships at St. Vincent-St. Mary. It is cool to be on the floor with him. He is a super popular local name."

Nance, Graves and Ali each scored more than 1,000 points in college.

Pete Nance steps into 'bigger role' with Cavaliers Summer League team

Nance, 24, appeared in eight games with the Cavaliers last season and made one 3-pointer. He averaged 13.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.0 steal in 26 games with the Charge.

"I am just trying to gain that experience and that confidence," said Nance, a standout at Revere and in college at Northwestern and North Carolina. "Being able to be on the sidelines for that playoff run [against the Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics] was unbelievable to see. It is something you dream about and there is so much to learn. Every game is different. Every team is changing their coverages every game, so there is so much to learn and to watch.

"Taking that experience and everything I have learned and getting to bring it right to Summer League has been huge for me."

Nance's continues to work on "being able to shoot the ball and guard multiple positions."

"That is what makes me unique with my size and at my position," said Nance, who is 6-foot-11 and 230 pounds. "... Last year [in Summer League], I knew it was going to be a little bit lesser of a role. Had Sam [Merrill], had Isaiah [Mobley], had Khalifa [Diop]. I knew I was kind of behind those guys.

"But this year is a much bigger role, so I am coming in with a ton of confidence and knowing that I am going to have all the opportunities to be able to showcase myself."

Nance said he plays at Revere "all the time" during the summer and keeps in touch with coach Dean Rahas. He has worked out with his brother, Larry Nance Jr., and with former Revere teammates Daniel Miller and Samson Albert.

Jayvon Graves is 'getting better' with Cavaliers Summer League team

Graves, who is 6-3 and 200 pounds, played with the Austin Spurs in the NBA G-League in 2021-2022 and averaged 7.0 points, 3.0 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 30 games.

Graves, 25, played with with Limoges in France in 2022-2023 and averaged 10.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 15 games. He then played with MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg in Germany in 2023-2024, averaging 17.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 17 games.

"It has been going good with the Cavaliers," said Graves, a star at STVM and in college at Buffalo. "A lot of learning, a lot of knowing the teammates and knowing the coaches. Getting familiar each day and getting better. ...

"Since high school, I got smarter and stronger. I have learned the game at each level. All of my coaches since high school have taught me things that have helped me get to this point."

Graves, who grew up in Malvern, said "playing hard and playing the right way" are key aspects of his game.

"I want to be aggressive, showcase myself and win," Graves said. "... If we win out there just like they did last year, things will open up. I am pretty confident in my skillset and my ability to learn from the coaches."

Graves said he regularly works out at STVM and talks with coach Dru Joyce II and former teammate Jon Williams. Graves said it was exciting to share the court with familiar faces.

"Pete is established here so it is easy to learn the offense and the defense from him," Graves said. "Ali, I didn't know he was going to he here, but ever since we have been here we have connected a lot."

Ali Ali embraces 'great opportunity to be in front of NBA guys'

Ali, who is 6-8 and 205 pounds, is optimistic he can start his path to an NBA career this upcoming season.

"Being in the position that I am in right now, I think this was a great opportunity to be in front of NBA guys and get to learn and meet a lot of new people," Ali said. "I feel like I did a decent job during the last four or five days of practice and we will see how it goes."

Akron coach John Groce and his son, Conner Groce, visited with Ali, 23, on the court after Wednesday's practice.

"It has been awesome getting to meet Jayvon Graves, someone that I kind of looked up to as a younger player in the MAC," Ali said. "Being around Pete Nance and getting to learn from him has been great. He is real cool with one of my old teammates [Scott Walter] at Akron."

Ali, a native of Kendallville, Indiana, was thrilled to see Akron teammate Enrique Freeman get drafted 50th overall by the Pacers last month.

"His phone is going crazy," Ali said. "I talk to him every now and then. I know he is doing well. If he ever has any questions, he knows he can hit me up about Indiana. I am excited for him."

Michael Beaven can be reached by email at mbeaven@thebeaconjournal.com and is on Twitter at @MBeavenABJ.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Pete Nance, Jayvon Graves set to play NBA Summer League with Cavaliers