The No. 24 jersey has been a revolving door in Cleveland, but a few names made it matter. Over the years, more than twenty players have worn it for the Cavaliers, and the list starts back in 1994 with Chris Mills.
Mills was one of those steady pieces from the Daugherty/Price era, the kind of role player who helped hold things together. Cleveland took him with the 22nd pick in the 1993 draft, and he spent the first four seasons of his career with the Cavs. In 319 games, he averaged 12.6 points for the team, and his best stretch came in 1995-96, when he put up 15 points a night and stood out as one of the team’s top defenders in the Fratello era.
Andre Miller brought a different kind of impact. His first three seasons in Cleveland showed off his playmaking right away, and he finished his rookie year on the All-Rookie First Team.
His final season with the Cavs may have been his best, though. In 2001-02, Miller averaged 16 points and almost 11 assists per game.
To this day, he remains the only player in franchise history to average double-digit assists in a season.
His Cleveland numbers still jump off the page. Miller’s 8.2 assists per game for his Cavs career rank among the best in team history, and he had one night when he handed out 19 assists.
That 2001-02 season also brought him 882 assists, the most in a single season for the franchise. His time in Cleveland ended after he wanted a max contract and Cleveland was looking to “tank” for the 2003 Draft and LeBron James, he was traded to the Clippers for Darius Miles.
Richard Jefferson wore No. 24 late in his career, but he left a real mark anyway. He was a key part of the 2016 NBA Champion Cleveland Cavaliers, and even in just 153 games with the team, his energy and personality made him a favorite. Jefferson played 17 NBA seasons, and after retiring he moved into broadcasting as a basketball analyst for ESPN.
The current No. 24, Tyrese Proctor, is still trying to carve out his place.
His rookie season last year came with limited minutes, but the belief around him is tied to the skill set that could translate into real NBA success. He played in 50 games and averaged 5 points, and his time in the G-League has fueled optimism about what comes next.
A bigger role is expected this season.
No. 24 is the second most worn number in franchise history, with 23 different players having taken it on. And with No. 23 next on the countdown, that story is coming tomorrow.
In Other News...
Meleek Thomas Is Forcing A Cavaliers Camp Battle Already
Meleek Thomas spent Summer League making a convincing case that the Cavaliers may already have a real backcourt decision on their hands. The rookie guard was handled as a lead guard throughout the event and looked comfortable in that role, pairing aggressive scoring with the kind of playmaking Cleveland wanted to see from a young ball-handler. His production stood out immediately, and so did the efficiency behind it.
For a team heading into training camp with preseason minutes up for grabs, Thomas has already added some heat to the competition. The Cavaliers will get a longer look at how his shot creation and passing translate against NBA-level rotations, and that will matter as they sort out who can earn time behind their established pieces. If Summer League was the opening argument, camp and preseason should tell us how seriously Thomas can force the issue. [Read more 🡒]
Cavs Added Young Frontcourt Depth With One Real Opportunity Ahead
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Around the league, several undrafted free agents have landed similar chances, with the Spurs bringing in Miles Barnstable and the Nuggets signing Boopie Miller, while other players are angling for opportunities with NBA teams or their G League affiliates after finishing college. For Cleveland, the immediate question is less about the headline and more about who can make the most of one real opening in camp and turn a low-profile invitation into something more lasting. [Read more 🡒]
Donovan Mitchell Just Sent The Cavs A Clear Message
At Cavaliers media day, Donovan Mitchell sounded very much like a player settled in for the long haul. Fresh off his four-year contract extension, the star guard framed the deal as a statement about his commitment to Cleveland and to the city, while also touching on the broader NBA picture around him, including LeBron James heading to Philadelphia and the Cavs addition of Peyton Watson.
Mitchell also pointed to the value of having James Harden through a full training camp, a detail that speaks to how much this group is trying to use every available rep to sharpen its identity. The message from Mitchell was less about looking back and more about what comes next, with Cleveland focused on moving forward and building chemistry before the season begins. [Read more 🡒]