The Cleveland Cavaliers have bolstered their NBA Summer League roster with the addition of Jayvon Graves, a local talent whose basketball journey has brought him back home. Multiple sources have confirmed to Cavs Insider that Graves will don the wine and gold this summer, adding a new chapter to his already impressive career.
Graves, 25, hails from Malvern, Ohio, and honed his skills at Akron’s Saint Vincent-Saint Mary High School, the same storied program that produced NBA superstar LeBron James. His basketball odyssey has taken him from local courts to the professional arenas of Europe, with his most recent stint being with BG Ludwisberg in Germany’s top-tier Basketball Bundesliga and the Basketball Champions League.
In the 2023-24 season, Graves showcased his talent and versatility with BG Ludwisberg. He played in 56 games, averaging 15.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per contest. His consistent performance made him an everyday starter, and he enjoyed a remarkable stretch from February 6 to March 6, where he scored at least 20 points and grabbed five or more rebounds in each game.
Graves’ professional career began after a successful college tenure at The University of Buffalo, where he played under the guidance of current Alabama head coach Nate Oats for the first two seasons. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound guard earned All-MAC honors in 2020 and was named to the Second Team All-MAC in 2021. He was also a key player in Buffalo’s memorable upset over fourth-seeded Arizona in the 2018 NCAA Tournament.
#𝟓 𝐟𝐨𝐫 #𝟑: Graves gets his 𝐟𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐡 𝟐𝟎+ 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞 of the season, no other player has more than TWO in Season 8! 🤯#BasketballCL | @JayGravess23 x @MHP_RIESEN pic.twitter.com/CDKaUJwMcs
— Basketball Champions League (@BasketballCL) January 2, 2024
Before heading overseas, Graves had a season with Limoges CSP in France, another Basketball Champions League team, and spent the 2021-22 campaign with the Austin Spurs, the G League affiliate of the San Antonio Spurs. With Austin, he played 41 games, starting in 12, and posted averages of 7.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.4 assists while shooting 36.0 percent from beyond the arc.
Graves’ high school career was equally impressive. At St. Vincent-St. Mary, he led the Irish to their first state title since 2011 under the tutelage of Dru Joyce II. His standout performances earned him Co-Ohio Player of the Year in Division II for the 2016-17 season and Cleveland.com’s Ohio Boys Basketball Player of the Year the same year.
As Graves joins the Cavaliers’ Summer League roster, he will have the chance to display the skills and determination that have marked his journey thus far. The Cavs, who are looking to defend their summer league title, have also brought in 20th overall pick Jaylon Tyson, March Madness star DJ Burns, and Utah State standout Darius Brown for their 2024 summer campaign.
For Graves, this summer represents an opportunity to shine on a larger stage and potentially secure a spot on an NBA roster. With his blend of experience, skill, and local ties, Jayvon Graves is a player to watch as the Cavaliers aim for another successful summer league run.
