Larry Nance Jr.

Larry Nance Jr. is an American professional basketball player, known for his high-flying dunks, defensive versatility, and relentless hustle. Born on January 1, 1993, in Akron, Ohio, he is the son of NBA legend Larry Nance Sr., a three-time All-Star and two-time Slam Dunk Contest champion. Nance Jr. forged his own identity at the University of Wyoming, where he earned Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year honors before being selected 27th overall in the 2015 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers.

Over a decade in the NBA, Nance has played for the Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans, and Atlanta Hawks, appearing in over 450 games. He won the 2018 Slam Dunk Contest, becoming the second father-son duo to achieve the feat. Off the court, Nance is a passionate photographer, a vocal advocate for Crohn's disease awareness (a condition he has managed since age 16), and a co-host of the podcast The Offensive Foul with Channing Frye.[edit]

Growing up in Akron, Larry Nance Jr. was surrounded by basketball. His father, Larry Nance Sr., worked as a broadcaster for the Cleveland Cavaliers, and young Larry often attended games, soaking in the atmosphere. At Revere High School in Richfield, Ohio, he played both basketball and football, but college recruiters were slow to notice him. He committed to the University of Wyoming, a program that saw potential in his athleticism.

At Wyoming, Nance redshirted his first season to build strength. He developed into a two-time All-Mountain West selection and was named the conference's Defensive Player of the Year as a senior. A torn ACL cost him most of his junior season, but he returned stronger, posting career-best numbers (15.4 points, 8.6 rebounds) and earning CoSIDA Academic All-America honors. His college career peaked with a 22-point, 12-rebound performance in the Mountain West tournament final, solidifying his draft stock.[edit]

The Los Angeles Lakers selected Larry Nance Jr. with the 27th pick in the 2015 NBA draft. He quickly became a fan favorite for his energy and highlight-reel dunks, averaging 7.0 points and 6.0 rebounds over three-plus seasons. In February 2018, he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the blockbuster deal that sent Isaiah Thomas to the Lakers. Two weeks later, Nance won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, wearing his father's vintage Phoenix Suns jersey for his final dunk.

With the Cavaliers, Nance developed into a reliable rotational big man, posting career highs of 9.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in the 2020-21 season. He was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in August 2021, then to the New Orleans Pelicans in February 2022. After a stint with the Atlanta Hawks, he returned to Cleveland in February 2024. He was waived in March 2025 due to a broken wrist and is currently a free agent, recovering and exploring his next move.[edit]

Larry Nance Jr. is celebrated as a high-energy, hustle player who brings elite athleticism and defensive versatility to every game. Off the court, he presents a clean-cut, thoughtful image, often seen with vintage cameras. Media outlets praise his intelligence and openness about living with Crohn's disease. His unofficial fan base, the "Nance Pack," appreciates his all-heart playing style and father-son legacy. On Instagram, where he has 1.2 million followers, Nance shares behind-the-scenes locker room content, photography, and advocacy posts. His social media voice is professional yet humble, reflecting his grounded personality.[edit]

Larry Nance Jr. maintains a public profile defined by his tenure as an NBA veteran rather than the cultural intensity of a pop icon with a dedicated, named following. While he commands respect for his defensive versatility and athletic flair, the available records do not document a formal or unofficial fandom name, nor are there organized campaigns, birthday billboards, or fan-funded projects specifically dedicated to him. His social media presence functions as standard professional engagement rather than evidence of a highly structured movement with unique rituals or inside jokes. The narrative surrounding his career remains grounded in basketball milestones, such as his selection by the Los Angeles Lakers and his recent contract with the Indiana Pacers, without evolving into the folklore that characterizes global superstars. Although he is recognized as a thoughtful athlete who advocates for health awareness, no distinct legend has emerged from the public consciousness regarding viral incidents or extraordinary crowd reactions. iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated this person, but they do not currently hold a placement in the published rankings (Global Top 1,000 or a Top-100 scope list). Consequently, Larry Nance Jr. is not ranked among the most famous people in the world.[edit]

Larry Nance Jr. traces his lineage directly to Moses Fleetwood Walker, the first African-American to play professional baseball in the major leagues in 1884. Diagnosed with Crohn's disease at age 16, he has remained in remission since 2017 and utilizes his platform to raise awareness about the condition. An avid photographer, Nance shot NBA games from the baseline with a press credential and published a photo book titled The View From the Floor: An NBA Photographer's Journey in 2024. He designed a custom Nike shoe for his Slam Dunk Contest win featuring a portrait of his father. Additionally, he co-hosts the podcast The Offensive Foul with former teammate Channing Frye. Recent reports from July 2026 confirm he agreed to a one-year deal with the Indiana Pacers valued at approximately $3.87 million. A notable story from the 2026 Eastern Conference Semifinals involves his availability issues due to illness against the Pistons before returning to Akron, Ohio. Another account from August 2026 mentions a piece titled Leeds Feels Like Home for Larry Nance Jr., though its context appears unrelated to a major basketball legend moment.[edit]

Larry Nance Jr. was born to Larry Nance Sr., a three-time NBA All-Star and two-time Slam Dunk Contest champion, and Jaynee Nance, a homemaker. He has a younger sister, Casey, and a younger brother, Pete, who played college basketball at Northwestern. The family lived in Akron, Ohio, where Larry Sr. worked as a broadcaster. Nance Jr. has no spouse or children as of 2026. He remains close with his family, often posting about them on social media.[edit]

Larry Nance Jr. has shared the court with LeBron James during his first stint with the Cavaliers in 2018. He co-hosts the podcast The Offensive Foul with former teammate Channing Frye. Other notable teammates include Kevin Love, Julius Randle, and CJ McCollum.[edit]

Larry Nance Jr. dated model and actress Megan Pence from 2016 to 2017. He then dated her sister, Hailey Pence, a model and influencer, from 2017 to 2019. In early 2020, he was briefly linked to actress Annie Ilonzeh, though neither party confirmed the pairing. As of 2026, Nance is single and has no known children.[edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Larry Nance Jr.'s net worth stands at $12 Million as of 2026. This figure reflects a career spanning over a decade in the NBA, where he accumulated earnings totaling $38.2 million before taxes. His salary peaked at $9.6 million during the 2020-21 season while playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Primary income streams include his time with the Lakers, Trail Blazers, Pelicans, Hawks, and most recently the Indiana Pacers. Endorsement partnerships with Nike and Panini provide additional revenue, alongside investments in real estate within Ohio. Modest supplementary income is generated through his photography book and the podcast The Offensive Foul.[edit]

Larry Nance Jr. won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 2018, becoming the second father-son duo to achieve the feat. In college, he was named Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year and earned All-Mountain West First Team honors in 2015. He was also a CoSIDA Academic All-American.[edit]