Larry Nance Jr. on playing for the University of Wyoming despite being from Cleveland: "If I could do it again, I would do the same"

Cleveland native Larry Nance Jr. chose to play for the University of Wyoming in college. It was a decision that the big man is pleased to have made, as the experience he had there was truly worthwhile, not only in terms of basketball but life in general.

The son of Cleveland Cavaliers legend Larry Nance starred for Revere High School in Richfield, Ohio, near his hometown of Akron. After that, Nance Jr. made the 1,472-mile journey from Cleveland to Wyoming and was part of the Cowboys’ basketball program.

He spent four years in the Cowboy State, a period that Larry said was well spent because it suited his low-key personality while allowing him to grow as a person. It was also there that he met his now wife, Hailey Pince.

On his recent appearance on Cavaliers teammate Lonzo Ball’s podcast, Nance Jr. shared his experience in Wyoming, pointing out that given the chance to do it again, he would in a heartbeat.

“Wyoming was different, right? Like, there’s 13,000 people on campus. Like, I came from Cleveland, so it was, um, I mean, you know me like I’m not, just chill, real low-key. So for me, like I just kept to myself. I found my girlfriend, my now wife, like early in school, and we just like, she knew it was basketball first, and then her and it was cool. It was solid. Like, I mean, if I could do it again, I would do the same four years at Wyoming. Life was good,” Nance Jr. said

Culture shock

After his four years with the Cowboys, where he concluded his career with 11.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks per contest in 123 games, he was selected 27th overall in the 2015 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers.

He admitted that when he first landed in Los Angeles, it was a culture shock for him as L.A. was a whole lot different from Wyoming. But like what he did in college, Larry took the change in scenery in stride and used the opportunity to learn how professional sports work.

Making his first year with the Lakers memorable was the fact that he got to play with the late great Kobe Bryant on his farewell tour in the NBA. Nance Jr. said he learned a lot from the Black Mamba and gained a deeper appreciation for what the five-time NBA champion had accomplished throughout his career.

Larry recalled with fondness Kobe’s final game, where the superstar came out with a bang, scoring 60 points to lead the Lakers to the 101-96 come-from-behind victory over the Utah Jazz.

“He came to practice the day before, and kind of told us, ‘Aye, I appreciate you guys for putting up with this year’. Cuz’ it was the whole retirement tour; the whole year was about him. It should’ve been. So he came in and was like, ‘Hey, I’ma go out how I came in. I’m gunning. The day before, I’m letting you know. I’ma do it,'” Nance said on the same podcast.

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Playing for different teams

Nance Jr. spent two and a half seasons with the Lakers before being traded to his hometown team, the Cavaliers, along with Jordan Clarkson. There, Larry was a steady contributor off the bench for the next three and a half seasons. After playing in Cleveland, Nance had stops with the Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans, and Atlanta Hawks over the next four seasons before signing with the Cavs again in July.

Since leaving college a decade ago, Nance Jr. has faced numerous challenges and has been able to handle them. There is no denying that Larry’s experience in Wyoming well-prepared him.

Related: "All of a sudden I hear, 'Nance, Nance get up'" - Larry Nance Jr. on being blindsided by Kobe Bryant's request to take his seat

This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Nov 28, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.