Where did Larry Nance go to college?

Cleveland Cavaliers

Larry Nance

PF#226-10215 lbsClemson

PositionPF

Jersey#22

TeamCleveland Cavaliers

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Milestones & Records

First NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion (1984)

Won the inaugural NBA Slam Dunk Contest during 1984 All-Star Weekend.

Three-time NBA All-Star

Selected in 1985, 1989 and 1993 across his years with the Suns and Cavaliers.

No. 22 retired by Cleveland (1995)

The Cavaliers retired his jersey number, honoring his role on the franchise's strong late-1980s teams.

Elite two-way big

Averaged 17.1 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.2 blocks over 920 games, adding three All-Defensive selections.

Biography

Larry Nance built his reputation on one unforgettable night — winning the very first NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 1984 — but that highlight-reel fame undersold the player. A 6-foot-10 forward out of Clemson, Nance spent 13 seasons with the Suns and Cavaliers doing the quiet work that wins games: he averaged 2.2 blocks over his career, a number that would flatter most centers, let alone a forward asked to run the floor and finish. He made three All-Star teams (1985, 1989, 1993) and earned All-Defensive honors three times, anchoring Cleveland's strong late-'80s teams. The dunks got the posters; the shot-blocking and mid-range touch got the respect. Cleveland retired his No. 22 in 1995 — the truest measure of how much he meant beyond the theatrics.

Official Jerseys

Cleveland Cavaliers Apparel

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Craig Porter Jr Youth Fanatics Maroon Cleveland Cavaliers Fast Break Custom Jersey - Icon Edition

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Maillot Swingman Nike Classic Edition des Cleveland Cavaliers - Bleu marine - Dennis Schröder - Jeune

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Cleveland Cavaliers Nike Icon Edition Swingman-Trikot – Weinrot – Dennis Schröder – Unisex

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Camiseta Nike Swingman Edición Ciudad 2025/26 de los Cleveland Cavaliers - Personalizada - Donovan Mitchell - Juvenil

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Cleveland Cavaliers Nike City Edition Swingman-Trikot 2025/26 – Orange – Jarrett Allen – Unisex

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Donovan Mitchell Cleveland Cavaliers Autographed Wine Nike 2023-24 City Edition Swingman Jersey with "Spida" Inscription

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Jaylon Tyson Youth Fanatics Red Cleveland Cavaliers Fast Break Custom Jersey - Icon Edition

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Articles about Larry Nance

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Basketball Culture

Why the Cavaliers Retired Larry Nance's #22: Cleveland's Skywalker

Larry Nance was the most explosive athlete to wear a Cavaliers uniform before LeBron, combining acrobatic finishing with elite shot-blocking that defined Cleveland's best teams of the early 1990s.

Mar 7, 20268 min

Cleveland Cavaliers

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Larry Nance

Milestones & Records

Biography

Cleveland Cavaliers Apparel

Craig Porter Jr Youth Fanatics Maroon Cleveland Cavaliers Fast Break Custom Jersey - Icon Edition

Maglia Cleveland Cavaliers Nike Association Edition Swingman - Bianca - Dennis Schröder - Bambino

Maillot Swingman Nike Classic Edition des Cleveland Cavaliers - Bleu marine - Dennis Schröder - Jeune

Cleveland Cavaliers Nike Icon Edition Swingman-Trikot – Weinrot – Dennis Schröder – Unisex

Camiseta Nike Swingman Edición Ciudad 2025/26 de los Cleveland Cavaliers - Personalizada - Donovan Mitchell - Juvenil

Cleveland Cavaliers Nike City Edition Swingman-Trikot 2025/26 – Orange – Jarrett Allen – Unisex

Donovan Mitchell Cleveland Cavaliers Autographed Wine Nike 2023-24 City Edition Swingman Jersey with "Spida" Inscription

Donovan Mitchell Cleveland Cavaliers Autographed Maroon Nike 2022-23 Icon Swingman Jersey with "Spida" Inscription

Jaylon Tyson Youth Fanatics Red Cleveland Cavaliers Fast Break Custom Jersey - Icon Edition

Evan Mobley Cleveland Cavaliers Autographed Red Nike 2022-23 Icon Edition Swingman Jersey with "4th Quarter EV' Inscription

Articles about Larry Nance

Why the Cavaliers Retired Larry Nance's #22: Cleveland's Skywalker

More from Cleveland Cavaliers

Get the latest player insights

Shop Cleveland Cavaliers Gear

Maillot Swingman City Edition Nike 2025/26 des Cleveland Cavaliers - Orange - Evan Mobley - Jeune

Cleveland Cavaliers Mitchell & Ness Swingman Trikot Shawn Kemp 1999

Donovan Mitchell Youth Fanatics Maroon Cleveland Cavaliers Fast Break Custom Jersey - Icon Edition

James Harden Cleveland Cavaliers 10.5" x 13" Jersey Number Sublimated Player Plaque

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