Category: Cleveland Cavaliers Blog

Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson has been named the NBA Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for games played in October and November, the NBA announced.

This marks the first time Atkinson has earned Coach of the Month accolades in his career. He is also the 8th coach in Cavaliers history to win the award.

Atkinson led the Cavaliers to a 17-3 record in October/November, which was the best record in the NBA and helped secure 12 wins in the month of November alone, marking the second-most wins by the Cavs in the month of November in team history (13 wins in November in 2008). The Cavaliers started the 2024-25 campaign with a franchise-best 15-0 record from October 23rd to November 17th, breaking the previous mark to start a season of 8-0 set in 1976-77. The Cavs 15-0 record also tied the 2nd-best start to a season in NBA history, with Atkinson becoming the first head coach in NBA history with an undefeated record through his first 15 games with a new team. His 15-0 mark was also the best start to a tenure with a team for any coach in NBA history, surpassing the previous mark held by Lawrence Frank, who won his first 13 games with the Nets from January 27th to February 24th, 2004. Cleveland’s 15-straight wins was also the longest winning streak in franchise history.

Cleveland led the NBA in October and November in points per game (122.4 PPG), field goal percentage (.511 FG%) and three-point percentage (.402 3FG%). The Cavaliers also ranked in the top 10 in the NBA in points per game differential (3rd, +9.8), steals per game (7th, 9.25 SPG), turnovers per game (5th-fewest, 13.1 TO), assist to turnover ratio (3rd, 2.15) and defensive rating (7th, 112.2). Offensively, Cleveland scored at least 110 points in 18 of their 20 games and scored 130 or more points six times, already setting the franchise record for games with 130 or more points in a single season (surpassing the previous record of five games with 130 or more points in 2016-17). Atkinson and the Cavaliers finished the month of November with a 10-1 record at home (2nd-best home record in the NBA) and a 7-2 record on the road (T-2nd best road record in the NBA).

The Cleveland Cavaliers have waived Pete Nance, Jules Bernard, Zhaire Smith, and Jacob Gilyard, Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman announced yesterday from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

The Cavaliers will open the 2024-25 regular season on Wednesday, October 23 at the Toronto Raptors, followed by the home opener on Friday, October 25 versus the Detroit Pistons at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

The current roster stands at 17 players, including three two-ways.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have finalized their coaching staff for the upcoming 2024-25 season and named Johnnie Bryant as Associate Head Coach and Jordan Ott, Mike Gerrity, DeMarre Carroll, Trevor Hendry, Omar Cook, Bryan Tibaldi and Nate Reinking as Assistant Coaches on Head Coach Kenny Atkinson’s staff, Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman and Atkinson announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

To support the coaching staff, the Cavaliers have hired Alex Sarama as Director of Player Development and Patrick Licursi as Advance Scout. DJ Ham has been named Player Development/Video Assistant, Andrew Olson as Shooting Coach and Austin Peterson as Manager of Coaching Analytics. Additionally, the Cavaliers have also hired Aaron Robinson and Luke Webb as Video Assistants, as well as Adrian Culea as Special Assistant to the Head Coach.

Bryant brings over a decade of NBA experience to Atkinson’s staff, including the previous four seasons as associate head coach of the New York Knicks. Before joining New York, Bryant spent eight seasons with the Utah Jazz, serving as an assistant coach for six seasons (2014-2020) and two seasons as a player development assistant (2012-2014). Additionally, he ran the Bryant Sports Academy for three years (2009-2012), which helped develop the skills of NBA players along with numerous European players. Bryant played college basketball at the University of Utah, leaving the school as the 20th all-time leading scorer (1,301 points) and the leader in three-point field goal percentage (.440) while also earning dual bachelor’s degrees in human development and family studies and sports management. Following his college career, the Oakland, CA., native went on to play professionally overseas in Germany.

Ott was most recently an assistant coach for the past two seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers (2022-2024). Prior to his tenure with the Lakers, Ott served as an assistant coach for the Brooklyn Nets for six seasons (2016-2022), where he worked under Atkinson on the sidelines for his first four years in Brooklyn. Before working as an NBA assistant coach, Ott was the video coordinator for the Atlanta Hawks from 2013 to 2016. He served in the same capacity with the Michigan State men’s basketball program for five seasons (2008-2013) under Hall of Fame head coach Tom Izzo. Ott received his bachelor’s degree from Penn State in 2006 and earned his master’s degree from Michigan State in 2008. The McConnellsburg, PA, native also served as an assistant coach with the Dominican Republic national team in the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship in Mexico City.

Gerrity joins Atkinson’s staff after serving the previous two seasons (2022-2024) as head coach of the Cleveland Charge, the Cavaliers’ exclusively owned and operated NBA G League team. In his first season at the helm, he led the Charge to a 30-20 record, tying for the second-most regular season wins in team history, as well as securing the franchise’s first playoff win since the 2015-16 season. Gerrity also served as an assistant coach for the Cavaliers in 2021-22 and spent three seasons as the team’s Director of Player Development/Assistant Coach from 2018 to 2021. His additional roles with the organization include two seasons as Director of Player Development for the Charge and Player Development Assistant with the Cavaliers from 2016 to 2018, and an Assistant Video Coordinator in 2013. Before his coaching career, Gerrity played two seasons in the NBA G League for the Dakota Wizards, Erie BayHawks, and Maine Red Claws. He starred at the University of Southern California in 2009-10 after playing collegiate basketball at Pepperdine and UNC Charlotte.

Carroll comes to Cleveland after spending the previous two seasons as an assistant coach with the Lakers (2023-24) and Milwaukee Bucks (2022-23). Prior to joining the coaching ranks, Carroll played in the NBA for 11 seasons, including two seasons under Atkinson during their time with the Brooklyn Nets. Over his NBA playing career, Carroll appeared in a combined 578 games (339 starts) for Houston, San Antonio, Brooklyn, Toronto, Atlanta, Utah, Denver and Memphis with averages of 8.9 points and 4.2 rebounds in 23.7 minutes. He made at least 100 three-pointers in four of his NBA seasons and was a starter on Atlanta’s 60-win team in 2014-15. Drafted by the Grizzlies as the 27th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, Carroll also appeared in 64 career playoff games (52 starts), posting averages of 8.9 points and 4.3 rebounds in 27.4 minutes. He was an All-Big 12 First Team selection during his collegiate years at the University of Missouri.

Hendry arrives in Cleveland after spending the previous two seasons (2022-24) as an assistant coach with the Brooklyn Nets and the four seasons prior to that (2018-22) as Brooklyn’s head video coordinator. Hendry originally joined the Nets organization in 2014, serving in a variety of basketball operations roles prior to entering the video room. He then spent one season (2016-17) as video and player development assistant for the Long Island Nets in the NBA G League and one season in the same role for the Brooklyn Nets (2017-18) before becoming head video coordinator for Brooklyn where he worked under Atkinson for parts of four seasons. Prior to joining the Nets organization, the Waterford, CT, native earned both a Bachelor of Arts in business and a Master of Business Administration from Clark University in Worcester, MA.

Cook held the role as assistant coach/player development with the Cavaliers last season. He originally joined the organization in 2022-23 as an assistant coach with the Charge after a successful 22-year professional basketball career that included stints in the NBA and NBA G League, as well as playing professionally in over half a dozen countries internationally. Cook has led five different leagues in assists in a season and has been part of two FIBA Champions League winning teams (2020, 2021). The Brooklyn, NY native was a McDonalds All-American and First-Team Parade All-American at Christ the King High School and starred at St. John’s University before being drafted by the Orlando Magic as the 31st overall pick in 2001.

Tibaldi was most recently the player development/video assistant (2021-2024) for the Cavaliers after joining the organization as an assistant coach with the Charge during the 2019-20 campaign. Prior to that, he spent two seasons as an assistant at Cleveland State University, two seasons as the Director of Basketball Operations at DePaul (2015-2017), four years as a video coordinator and director of operations at Missouri (2011-2015) and two seasons as assistant video coordinator basketball operations assistant with the Chicago Bulls (2009-2011). A 2007 graduate of Michigan State, Tibaldi was a two-year letter winner as a walk-on for the Spartans. Following his playing days, Tibaldi was a graduate assistant under Tom Izzo from 2007-09, earning his master’s in Kinesiology in 2009.

Reinking enters his second season as Assistant Coach with the Cavaliers. He was previously Assistant Coach/G-League Liaison from 2021-2023 and Head Coach for the Charge from 2016-2021 when he held a combined 107-101 record over that span. Reinking has over 20 years of collegiate, professional and international experience as both a player and coach. He was named the head coach of the Great Britain National Team in the summer of 2019, leading the team on a 4-0 run, and continuing a record-setting seven-game winning streak, to secure a spot in a EuroBasket 2021 qualifying group. Additionally, he coached the team in the 2022 FIBA EuroBasket Games. Before beginning his coaching career, Reinking played for Great Britain from 2005-12, representing the nation in international tournaments such as the Olympics and European Championships. The Galion, OH, native graduated from Kent State University in 1996 after a four-year playing career with the Golden Flashes and was inducted into the school’s Varsity “K” Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed forward Luke Travers to a Two-Way contract, Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

Travers (6-7, 208), who was selected 56th overall in the 2022 NBA Draft by Cleveland, appeared in 36 games (34 starts) for Melbourne United during the 2023-24 season in the NBL (Australian Basketball League) and averaged 12.4 points on .517 shooting from the field, 7.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.33 blocks and 1.17 steals in 27.0 minutes.

The Australia NBL Cup winner (2021) and NBL champion (2020) has appeared in 139 games (76 starts) over the last five seasons with the Perth Wildcats and Melbourne United in the NBL (Australian Basketball League), holding career averages of 8.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 0.87 steals in 20.7 minutes. Additionally, he was also a member of the Cavaliers Summer League team for the past three years, including the 2023 NBA Summer League Championship team, where he averaged 7.5 points on .487 shooting from the field, 6.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.8 steals and 2.17 blocks in 23.2 minutes.

The Cleveland Cavaliers announced today that the team will hold its 2024 Training Camp at IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL, from October 1-6, 2024.

The six-day camp will mark the official start of the Cavaliers’ preparations for the 2024-25 NBA season.

“The city of Sarasota and IMG Academy in Bradenton is the perfect backdrop for our training camp this year,” said Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman. “This is a unique opportunity for us to utilize a world-class facility away from our usual environment, providing an excellent setting for building team chemistry and culture. We extend our gratitude to IMG Academy and the surrounding areas for their warm hospitality in hosting our organization. Their state-of-the-art facilities and supportive communities will be instrumental in helping us prepare for the upcoming season.”

Cleveland will become the first NBA team to hold training camp at IMG Academy, the world’s leading sports education brand. This 600-acre campus in Bradenton, Florida, is renowned for its state-of-the-art facilities, including multiple basketball courts and comprehensive strength and conditioning resources. IMG Academy offers a holistic education model, integrating innovative on-campus and online experiences to prepare student-athletes for college and life. This will also be the Cavaliers’ first remote training camp since preparing for the 2004-05 season at Capital University in Columbus, OH.

“IMG Academy is excited to welcome the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers to our world-class campus for their 2024-25 NBA Training Camp this fall,” said Mike Milliron, Chief Operating Officer of IMG Academy. “Our state-of-the-art environment, facilities, hospitality, and IMG Academy’s proven track record with regularly hosting professional sports leagues, organizations, and players make us an ideal partner for the Cavaliers as they prepare for their upcoming NBA season. We look forward to providing their staff and players with unrivaled IMG Academy campus experience.”

The Cleveland Cavaliers have hired Kenny Atkinson as Head Coach, Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman announced yesterday from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

Atkinson, 57, becomes the 24th head coach in Cavaliers team history after spending the last three seasons as assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors, who most recently captured the 2021-22 NBA Championship. He will also serve as an assistant coach with the French National Team that will participate at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games this summer.

“We conducted a thorough and extensive search in the selecting of the next head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers and today, we are excited to welcome Kenny Atkinson to Northeast Ohio,” said Altman. “Kenny brings a wealth of experience, a proven track record of player development, and a relentless work ethic that aligns with the vision we have for this franchise. His innovative approach will instill a style of play and brand of basketball that will give us a chance for sustainable success and ultimately compete for Championships. His familiarity coaching alongside some of the NBA’s best elevates this partnership and we are excited that Kenny will guide our team and help us achieve our goals both on and off the court.”

Prior to his stint with the Warriors, Atkinson was an assistant with the Los Angeles Clippers (2021-22), and head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, spending parts of four seasons (2016-2020). He ranks third all-time in Nets franchise history for games coached (308) and fourth in wins (118). After Brooklyn posted a 20-62 record in his first season, Atkinson led the Nets to an eight-win improvement in his second season. In 2018-19, Atkinson guided Brooklyn to a 42-40 record and their first postseason berth since 2015. The 14-win improvement represented the third-biggest increase in wins among all NBA teams that season, and Brooklyn’s third straight season improving its win-loss record, marking the first time the Nets had done so in three or more consecutive seasons since 1990 to 1994.

His previous experience includes assistant coaching stops with Atlanta (2012-2016), New York (2008-2012), and one season as the director of player development in Houston (2007-08).

“I am thrilled and honored to be named head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers,” said Atkinson. “This is an incredible opportunity to lead an already talented young roster with an equally bright future. I’ve seen firsthand and had to prepare for this group as an opposing coach, and the task was not easy. I’m so excited to now be on this side of the ledger to help continue moving this team forward. I also want to thank Koby Altman and the front office for having the confidence in me and the shared vision we have for sustainable success in Cleveland.”