In 1984, the Phoenix Suns selected Larry Nance 20th overall out of Clemson, and the basketball world encountered something it had never quite seen before: a small forward who could elevate to heights that made defenders look like furniture. His nickname was Skywalker, and it was earned. By the time the Suns traded him to Cleveland in 1988, Nance had already won the inaugural NBA Slam Dunk Contest, made his first All-Star team, and established himself as one of the most physically gifted players in the league.
Coming to Cleveland
The February 1988 trade that sent Larry Nance to Cleveland — along with Mike Sanders, in exchange for Kevin Johnson, Mark West, Tyrone Corbin, and draft picks — was one of the most impactful moves in Cavaliers history. Cleveland received a player in his prime who combined rim-protecting shot-blocking with explosive above-the-rim finishing at a time when the franchise was building the core that would compete for 50-plus win seasons. Alongside Mark Price, Ron Harper, and Brad Daugherty, Nance became the defensive anchor of the best pre-LeBron Cavaliers teams ever assembled.
Three All-Star Seasons
Nance made three All-Star appearances while wearing Cavaliers wine and gold — 1989, 1990, and 1993 — cementing his status as one of the premier big men in the Eastern Conference during a period when the conference included Larry Bird, Patrick Ewing, Charles Barkley, and Michael Jordan. His shot-blocking was elite: he led the NBA in blocks per game in 1984-85 and remained a top-five shot-blocker throughout his Cleveland tenure. At his peak, Nance combined 22 points and 3.2 blocks per game in a way that no forward in Cleveland had managed before.
A Legacy Continued
Larry Nance retired in 1994 after knee injuries limited his final seasons. He finished his Cleveland career averaging 16.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game across six seasons. His son, Larry Nance Jr., joined the Cavaliers in 2021 and wears his father's retired number 22 — a tradition the franchise allows in recognition of the original Skywalker's place in Cleveland history. When Nance Jr. wears that number today, it carries two legacies: the son's current excellence and the father's enduring place in Cleveland basketball memory.
Why the Cavaliers Retired #22
The Cavaliers retired Larry Nance's #22 because of what he represented during the most successful era of pre-LeBron Cleveland basketball. He was the defensive conscience of teams that competed at the highest level of the Eastern Conference, the player who made opponents think twice about driving into the paint, and the most physically spectacular Cavalier of his generation. The fact that his son now carries that number forward is not an accident — it is a franchise acknowledging that some players leave an imprint so deep that their legacy naturally extends into the next generation.
