The Cavaliers left the 2025 NBA Draft on June 26 with two players, second-round picks Tyrese Proctor and Saliou Niang.
A 6-foot-4¼, 183-pound guard, Proctor spent the past three seasons playing for Duke. A 6-7, 204-pound wing, Niang played for Trento in Italy the last two seasons. They are both 21 years old.
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Cavs general manager Mike Gansey broke down the team’s assessments of Proctor, the 49th overall pick, and Niang, the 58th overall selection. Here’s what he said:
Apr 5, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Tyrese Proctor (5) drives to the basket against Houston Cougars guard Milos Uzan (7) during the second half in the semifinals of the men’s Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images ORG XMIT: IMAGN-1026925 ORIG FILE ID: 20250405_jcd_sd2_0310.JPG
Scouting report on Cavs draft pick Tyrese Proctor
Gansey confirmed the Cavs plan to fill a full-time roster spot by signing Proctor to a multiyear contract instead of a two-way deal. Projected to be a second-apron team, the Cavs have limited financial flexibility and two guards headed for unrestricted free agency, Ty Jerome and Sam Merrill.
Cavs in 2025 NBA Draft: Cavaliers pick Tyrese Proctor at No. 49 overall. What to know
Gansey said the Cavs had Proctor “almost as a first-round grade” when they evaluated him in the buildup to the draft.
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“At Duke, everyone’s seen him play,” Gansey said of Proctor. “He had a great year this year going to Final Four, and he got a lot better, 40% from 3, and we’re excited about him because he’s coming from a winning program. Jon Scheyer is a very good coach, and he’s obviously learned with him.
“The thing that attracted us was he can play on and off the ball. He’s got great size at 6-5, can play some combo and on top of the 40% shooting, he comes from a winning pedigree, especially this year. I think he was the fifth Duke player drafted. So basically their whole starting five was drafted, and he can fill a role.”
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – MARCH 29: Tyrese Proctor #5 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second half in the East Regional Elite Eight round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Prudential Center on March 29, 2025 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Tyrese Proctor stats at Duke
A native of Australia and a product of the NBA Global Academy, Proctor averaged 10.8 points on 42.1% shooting from the field (36.5% on 3-pointers), 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 29.9 minutes in three seasons at Duke (106 games with 97 starts).
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As a junior last season, he averaged 12.4 points on 45.2% shooting from the floor (40.5% on 3s), 3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 29.9 minutes. He earned a third-team All-ACC selection.
Tyrese Proctor to Cavs in NBA draft: Instant grade, analysis, stats for 49th pick
Gansey identified Proctor’s shooting as his most NBA-ready skill.
But Gansey added, “You can’t have enough ball handlers. … You can run him off screens. He can play pick-and-roll. He can get in the paint. He’s got a good midrange game. He makes plays for others.”
Scouting report on Cavs draft pick Saliou Niang
Gansey said the Cavs will keep Niang overseas “for at least a year, if not more.” A native of Senegal, Niang will stay in Italy and play for Virtus Bologna, a EuroLeague team, Gansey said.
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“The last two years, the strides he’s made have been pretty incredible,” Gansey said. “Super athletic, 6-7, really long, can really guard. He was just the NBA Eurocamp Defensive Player of the Year. So he’s really good on the defensive side of the ball, his versatility there. He can slash, a good cutter, a good finisher around the rim, but he’s really got to improve his 3-point shooting. He’s not a great shooter right now, but it’s improving.”
Who did Cavs pick in NBA draft?: Cavaliers take Saliou Niang at No. 58 overall
Saliou Niang stats in Italy
Niang started 10 of the 29 games in which he appeared last season with Trento in the Lega Basket Serie A. He averaged 8.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 20.3 minutes. Niang was named the Most Improved Player in the LBA and was a 2025 Italian National Cup winner.
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Gansey noted the Cavs’ international scouts have been tracking Niang since he was about 15 years old.
“He’s gotten a lot better,” Gansey said.
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.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Cavs share draft evaluations of Tyrese Proctor, Saliou Niang