Craig Porter Jr. Has a Big Opportunity Ahead of Him in Year Four

All that any NBA reserve – or any reserve at any level – really asks for is an opportunity. And this year, for Cleveland’s trio of young backup guards, the upcoming 2026-27 season represents a golden opportunity to take the next step in their unfolding career. 

Meleek Thomas, the 34^th overall pick in this past June’s Draft, has already impressed coaches and teammates with his scoring ability and quiet confidence as a 20-year-old. Tyrese Proctor, Cleveland’s top pick last year, hit the ground running as an NBA freshman, showing off the shooting stroke that made his one of the ACC’s most deadly marksmen. 

And then there’s the “senior” of the group – Craig Porter Jr. – now heading into his fourth season after going undrafted out of Wichita State way back in 2023. Among Cleveland’s second unit players, only Sam Merrill, who appeared in five games with the Cavs in 2022-23, has been with the team longer. 

Merrill, the 11^th-ranked three-point shooter in the league last season, solidified his spot in the rotation many moons ago. But for the other young guards on the roster, the start of this season will be a cutthroat competition for minutes. 

Before the Cavaliers even got on the plane for Spain, the team’s President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman talked about the opportunity that awaits Porter to start the season. 

“I think he’s had a huge offseason, just in terms of his body,” said Altman. “I give him a lot of credit, being in the weight room. He understands the opportunity in front of him. And he’s a wonderful, wonderful young man, who also got married this off season. So, all these guys are kind of growing up with him, within Cleveland, which I love. We think the world of him and his work ethic, and who he is as a person. He has a great opportunity in front of him.”

And last week after practice at CCC, Coach Kenny Atkinson reiterated that sentiment – predicting bigger things for his 4^th-year guard this season. 

“Our relationship has grown,” said Atkionson. “My understanding of his game, I think, was helped by Koby and (current GM Brandon) Weems and (former GM) Mike Gansey, just trying to explain to me what type of player he is and who he is before I got here. And our staff was kind of just pushing me, like: ‘Man, this guy's got a lot of unique characteristics.’ I will say this: I think he's impressed in the preseason where you're thinking this guy's gonna be in a rotation, he's gonna help us win games, and I think we're gonna use them better than we ever had before.” 

Last year, Porter logged a career-best 64 appearances with the Wine & Gold, although the versatile guard from Wichita State didn’t get much of run in the postseason. Overall, Porter averaged 4.5 PPG, shooting 45 percent from the floor, 36 percent from long-range. But Porter’s true value comes from his two-way versatility – and he had some historic performances illustrating that point. 

In a November win over the Heat, Porter became the first player in Cavs history to record at least 19 points, nine assists, three steals and four blocks in a single game. In a February win over Blazers, he became the first player in league history to tally at least 12 assists, five steals and two blocked shots off the bench. 

But Porter feels like he can hit another gear in 2026-27. 

“I feel like my approach and my demeanor (is different),” said the 26-year-old combo guard. “Not that I wasn't serious before, but just understanding the opportunities that are around me this year, and it’s about what I can't do with my career coming forward. I just think I've taken it to another level with how locked in I am.” 

The lion’s share of minutes at the backup guard position last year went to Lonzo Ball before the Trade Deadline and Dennis Schröder after it. The year before, Ty Jerome was one of the league’s top reserves. This offseason, the Cavs underwent somewhat of a youth movement, and those backcourt minutes will be decided over the next few weeks. 

“With guys like Dennis leaving, I definitely want to be able to pick up the slack in that role and just be able to relieve guys,” said Porter. “I know there’s going to be a lot of pressure on Don, James, and Evan to bring the ball up. So, I just want to be that outlet for them and give them a lot of freedom.” 

Officially listed at just 6-1, 180, Porter isn’t your typical guard – and never has been. He’s not the type of player to light up the scoreboard. Porter’s super-power is his ability to do it all on both ends. 

Porter began his collegiate career at Vincennes University in Indiana, helping lead the Trailblazers to the NJCAA national championship in 2019. From there, he transferred to Wichita State where, in his final season, he led the Shockers in just about everything – becoming the first player in program history to lead the team in rebounding, assists, blocks, and steals in the same season. 

And for an ‘undersized’ pure point guard, his shot-blocking numbers were mind-boggling. As a senior, he was the first player ever to finish in the Conference’s top ten – and the only player in the NCAA’s top 100 – in both assists-per-game and blocks-per-game. He blocked a shot in 11 straight outings, longest streak by a guard in team history, and his blocked shot average (1.48bpg) was the highest nationally for any player 6-2 or shorter. 

Last season with the Cavaliers, he led the team in assists in nine games, in blocks in 10 games, and in steals on 13 occasions despite averaging just under 18 minutes a night. 

But for everything he’s accomplished through his first three seasons, Porter knows he’ll have to continue clawing for minutes against a pair of hungry youngsters chasing the same goal. 

“I feel like we've all embraced it and understood what was at stake,” said the Terra Haute, Indiana native. “And, I mean, we've all talked a lot too. So, that's been the big thing. It's not like it's a bad blood type of battle; it's all friendly competition. And again, it's like we all realize what's in front of us and what the potential is. Meleek is very hungry. He's hungry as could be, especially at his age. But, I mean, every day's battle and we all just want to make each other better at the end of the day.”

Porter’s been rock-solid through the truncated preseason – leading the Cavaliers in assists (5.6 APG), bolstered mainly by his 10-assist outing in the opener against Boston. Last year, Porter tallied double-figure assists in three games; double-figure scoring in eight more – paced by his 19-point showing against Miami. 

Porter has also been a part of the squad’s last three playoff runs, although he appeared in just seven outings during last year’s run to the Conference Finals. He hopes to change that this year, with the Cavaliers flying somewhat under the radar in the reconfigured East. 

“I feel like we've got the same approach, you know, just be the hardest-playing team, the hardest-working team and the team that doesn't take nights off,” said Porter. “We're going to meet teams with physicality. And I feel like our big thing – especially considering last year’s playoffs – is don't wait until we get punched to want to punch back. We got to make that first punch. We've got one of the deepest teams in the NBA, so we know that every night we can just battle with anyone. And I feel like that'll get us over the hump.” 

While the Cavaliers are just getting their season started, the first-place Browns have shocked the football world, and the Guardians are attempting to reach the World Series for the first time in a decade – and win their first MLB title since 1948. 

During last year’s NBA playoff run, Porter often sported a No. 29 Tim Herrin jersey. As it turns out, both Porter and the Guards left-handed reliever went to the same high school (Vigo South) back in Indiana. 

“So, when I was a freshman, (Herrin) was a senior,” recalled Porter. “He played basketball, too. But actually, I really knew him from football. He was a bigger quarterback, especially in high school. But he was a gunslinger lefty. And I think that was the last time my high school football team was good. My brother was in his grade. So, I didn't know him, obviously, but I grew up with him. But we've gotten to talk over the years more and more.” 

Asked if he believes the Guards can still pull the ALCS out, Porter flashed a smile. “Absolutely,” he said. “We got this.”

The sports scene is percolating on the North Coast, and in a few days, Craig Porter Jr. and the Cavaliers will begin their quest to finish what they started last season.