Dial-A-Donovan: Tyrese's welcome to the NBA

• Tyrese Proctor signed a four-year, $13.2m deal with Cleveland after the NBA Draft
• He had a strong Summer League debut, featuring a 35-point performance
• Proctor is being put on a diligent off-season conditioning routine by Cleveland to add muscle

As the son of Rod Proctor — a former American college star who moved to Australia to play and now coach the next generation as boss at the Bankstown Basketball Stadium — Tyrese Proctor has had the value hard work and humility drummed into him.

It’s why the 21-year-old remains on his toes, knowing he hasn’t achieved anything yet despite his significant salary.

“I’m not satisfied — I understand that a lot of guys make that first NBA contract and then they are out of the league within a few years,” Proctor told Code Sports Basketball's Matt Logue.

“I think my next big thing is getting that second NBA contract and just being a role player and having a great NBA career.”

Read the full story at Code Sports Basketball here

Since being drafted Proctor hasn’t had a chance to scratch himself.

He went straight from Brooklyn to the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas where he made his debut for Cleveland.

Proctor excelled for the Cavs in his four games, including dropping 35 points in just 28 minutes in a loss to Sacramento. No Australian has scored as many points in NBA Summer League history.

Proctor revealed he was able to truly reflect and appreciate his recent success while on his 15-hour flight back home to Australia.

“That was my first downtime,” he said.

“Getting drafted it’s a wave and then it’s to Summer League straight away, so my big flight home was a chance to relax, get off my phone and reflect and let it sink in.”

Superstar NBA Welcome

Minutes after fulfilling his lifetime NBA draft dream Proctor received a FaceTime call from one of Cleveland’s biggest stars.

Cavs All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell called him with a motivational message ahead of the new NBA season.

“It was a special moment,” he said.

“As soon as I got drafted Donovan called me to welcome me to the club.

“He told me he has been watching me play at Duke and he is happy I’ve been drafted and told me to be ready to get to work.

“He said have a great time with your family at the draft and enjoy the night, but then it’s time to lock in and get it rolling.

“It was cool and nice to have a person like him reach out.”

Proctor believes the Cavs are the perfect club for him to build and become a polished NBA player. He can’t wait to play alongside the likes of Mitchell, Darius Garland and Evan Mobley and compete for a title.

“I’m definitely excited,” he said.

“The Cavs are coming off a great year – and while it didn’t end the way they wanted after being No. 1 in the East for the majority of the year.

“But with the pieces we have going into the upcoming season we are going to be a great team and definitely contend for championship.”

Boomers Ambitions

Proctor has played a handful of games for Australia, but he is yet to don the green and gold at a major tournament.

He made his senior debut for the Boomers in an Asia Cup qualifier at age 16, while he helped the Aussies win gold at the 2022 Asia Cup in Indonesia.

Now Proctor feels like he is ready for the big World Cup and Olympic stage.

“I can’t wait and it’s definitely on my goal list to play at multiple Olympics and represent my country,” he said.

“I won the Asia Cup in Indonesia a few years ago, which was a great experience, but I was limited because of college and timing.

“Now I’m in a position where I’m able to play more for Australia, I’m looking forward to it and hoping to bring a gold back home.”