Category: Cleveland Cavaliers Blog

The Cleveland Cavaliers have waived guard Kelenna Azubuike, Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

Azubuike appeared in one preseason game, scoring six points and adding three rebounds in 14 minutes.

The Cavaliers roster now stands at 17.

It’s NBA preseason, and lots of players around the league who were signed to “training camp” contracts will be let go between now and the start of the regular season.

After two years of wallowing as one of the league’s worst teams, Cavaliers coach Byron Scott is putting everyone on alert. This season, he is expecting more.

That was evident Tuesday when Scott benched — and then ripped — rookie Dion Waiters for not running the right play in a preseason loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Scott typically has been patient before publicly ripping players in the past. He gave J.J. Hickson all of training camp two years ago before blasting him before the start of the regular season for not knowing the playbook. He gave Omri Casspi nearly all of last season before ripping him for the same thing.

Waiters, however, lasted one week before catching Scott’s wrath.

— Reported by Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal

Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson said he paid for Texas guard Myck Kabongo to come to Cleveland earlier this year — and was reimbursed by Kabongo’s brother — where Kabongo worked with a trainer.

The NCAA said Thursday that it is investigating possible improper benefits provided to Kabongo byThompson’s agent Rich Paul, who also represents LeBron James.

Yahoo! Sports first reported the investigation. According to Yahoo!, the NCAA is investigating who paid for Kabongo’s trip and expenses, and who provided his workout with New York-based trainer Jerry Powel. The report also said that Paul called NBA front offices on behalf of Kabongo before this year’s NBA draft.

— Reported by Jodie Valade of the Cleveland Plain Dealer

Cavaliers forward Luke Walton will not travel with the team to Champaign, IL  for the Cavaliers game against Chicago on Friday due to a left hamstring strain experienced during training camp.

He will remain at Cleveland Clinic Courts to receive treatment and his status will be updated as appropriate.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have waived guard Kevin Anderson and guard/forward Justin Holiday, Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

Anderson appeared in one preseason game, scoring three points in five minutes. Holiday also appeared in one preseason game, scoring three points in 12 minutes.

The Cavaliers roster now stands at 18.

He will make a debut of a different sort Tuesday night, when “Keyshia & Daniel: Family First,” his reality show with wife Keyshia Cole, airs at 10 p.m. on BET. He’s not the least bit nervous about that. In fact, he can’t wait for fans to see all eight episodes.

“I’m extremely proud of it because I just think, for some reason, family is not big in America anymore,” he said after practice Sunday as the Cavs prepared to host Italian power Montepaschi Siena tonight at The Q.

“It seems like people have become real materialistic. When they see us, I’m hoping it gives hope to a family atmosphere,” Gibson said. “No person is perfect, but you work together, you work it out, you stick it out . . . that’s what makes a family work. The name says it all.”

— Reported by Mary Schmitt Boyer of the Cleveland Plain Dealer

Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (fractured bone in his right hand) and forward/center Anderson Varejao (right wrist fracture) have been cleared for full team practice participation starting with the commencement of training camp on Tuesday, October 2nd. Irving injured his hand on July 14th,2012 and Varejao’s injury occurred last season on February 10th, 2012. Guard Daniel Gibson (torn tendon in his left foot and ankle) has been cleared for participation in practice to tolerance. Gibson’s injury occurred last season on March 19th, 2012.

The Cavaliers have added guard/forward Justin Holiday to their training camp roster.

Holiday appeared in all five 2012 Summer League games for the Cavs and averaged 6.4 points and 2.0 rebounds in 16.8 minutes per game.

The roster now stands at 20.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed guard/forward Alonzo Gee to a contract, Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

Gee, 25, posted career bests in scoring (10.6), rebounding (5.1), assists (1.8), steals (1.3), free throw percentage (.788) and minutes per game (29.0) in 63 games (31 starts) during the 2011-12 season. In his 31 starts, the 6-foot-6, 219-pounder increased his averages to 11.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 31.7 minutes per game.

“From the start of free agency, we made it clear that re-signing Alonzo was important to us and we’re happy we’ve been able to do that,” Grant said. “Alonzo has worked very hard to make the most of the opportunities he has had thus far and it has been great to see his development and growth as a Cavalier. We’re excited he will be part of our team as our young group of players continues to grow together.”

Gee was named the 2010 D-League Rookie of the Year and to the NBA D-League Second Team after averaging 21.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.5 steals in 38.2 minutes while shooting .509 (269-528) from the field and .393 (24-61) from three-point range during the 2009-10 regular season with the Austin Toros. The former University of Alabama star also played in 11 games during the 2009-10 season with the Washington Wizards. Gee played in a combined 16 games during the 2010-11 season with San Antonio and Washington before signing with the Cavaliers on Dec. 28, 2010 where he played in 40 games (29 starts) and averaged 7.4 points on .462 shooting and 3.9 rebounds in 24.4 minutes per game.