March 5, 2026, 8:12 p.m. ET

Despite playing sporadically this season for the Cleveland Cavaliers, rookie Tyrese Proctor has left a lasting impression on head coach Kenny Atkinson.

Proctor is averaging 4.8 points, 1.3 assists and one rebound while shooting 33.6% from 3-point range in 42 appearances. He has scored in double figures seven times, including a season-high 17 points, three assists and two rebounds on Nov. 7.

The 49th overall pick was highly touted out of Duke as a player who can impact games on both ends of the court. He proved himself as soon as training camp began and put himself in the mix to see some minutes at the back end of the rotation.

“From Day 1, it was like, ‘This guy belongs,'” Atkinson said. “The second day of training camp, it was like, ‘Wait a second. What do we have here?’ The skill level, maturity, competitiveness, like all those things, and then he has got the Duke-ACC kind of pedigree, which he has played in a lot of big games. He has got the FIBA stuff in Australia. This guy is really mature.”

Proctor made a spot start for Atkinson and the Cavaliers on Dec. 19 in a loss to the Chicago Bulls, producing 16 points, six rebounds and three assists. He earned the nod, in part, because of his ballhandling ability and versatility in the backcourt.

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With minutes scarce and the team off until Sunday, Proctor made an appearance in the G League on Tuesday, recording 29 points, six assists and five rebounds with the Cleveland Charge. He went 10-of-18 from the field, including four 3-pointers in 27 minutes.

Proctor will likely continue to see scattered playing time over the remainder of the season, but the 21-year-old Australian appears to have a bright future ahead. The team is eager to watch his continued development on and off the court.

“This guy belongs,” Atkinson said. “He has just got to get strong. His thing is his physical development now. Once he puts on some girth and a little weight, he is going to play in this league a long time.”

Note: Sharif Phillips-Keaton of Nets Wire contributed to this story