Proc-lamation: Tyrese declares 'I know I belong'

• Tyrese Proctor works out with James Harden after every Cleveland shootaround.
• He is averaging 5.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 13 minutes.
• Assistant Omar Cook, a two-time EuroLeague assists leader, is also mentoring him.

Australian Boomer and former Duke Blue Devil guard Tyrese Proctor goes up against two of the best guards in the NBA every day in practice: James Harden and Donovan Mitchell.

And what he’s learned: “I know that I belong, so just playing my game.”

Proctor, 22, is in his second year in the NBA and is already showing growth on both ends of the floor.

“I feel really comfortable, especially on the court,” he said before the Cleveland Cavaliers fell 117-112 to the Oklahoma City Thunder today.

“Obviously, I’ve only been in the league for one year, but I think the more reps I’m getting (obviously, I played a lot of minutes last year), I’m getting a lot more confident, a lot more comfortable out there.”

In six of Cleveland's seven games, he is averaging 5.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 13 minutes, compared with 5.4 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 11 minutes across 50 games as a rookie in 2025-26. He has more than doubled his rebounding, lifted his assists, and cut his turnovers from 0.8 a game to 0.3, while shooting 52.2 per cent from the field, up from 41.3. He is taking fewer threes, 2.0 a game down from 2.6 last season, and making more of them: 7-for-12 (58.3 per cent) versus 35.1 per cent.

Proctor played for the Boomers mid-year in Perth, then worked out with Patty Mills in Hawaii before heading back to Ohio for training camp and preseason.

“It’s been huge. I think in all parts of my game,” he said of his offseason physical development.

“My rebounding specifically, it’s helped me in that, just crashing the glass, trying to be a better rebounder. It also allows me to push the ball in transition, keep that pace we want to play with.

“Kenny’s emphasised that a number of times. I feel like if I’m getting rebounds, offensively but mainly defensively, I can just push the pace in transition and get better shots.

“Then defensively as well, just being able to bully screens, early hits, early bumps and enforcing my will.”

Proctor revealed he works out daily with future Hall of Famer Harden.

“Just the details. Not skipping steps, not taking days off, even if mentally it’s tough or physically it’s tough. I think that’s the biggest thing I’ve seen,” Proctor added.

“After every shootaround, we work together. Just getting off-the-dribble shots, catch-and-shoot shots, different footwork, because no shot in the game is going to be the same.

“Just trying to replicate that in practice.

“Just trying to come in and impact when I’m on the court. I think that’s a big thing.

“Our starters have been doing a great job getting off to strong starts, and it’s my job to come in and match that, if not exceed that.

“I think I’ve had a great start to the year. I feel really comfortable out there, obviously with a whole bunch of different line-ups.

“Just trying to pick and choose my spots and get everyone involved at the same time.”

Proctor also works closely with Cavaliers assistant coach and EuroLeague legend Omar Cook. The 44-year-old Cook is a two-time EuroLeague assists leader, Champions League assists leader and two-time Champions League champion.

“I would say a little bit of everything,” Proctor said of what he’s learned from the retired American point guard.

“Him being a great player, him being a facilitator and a scoring point guard; I think just being able to see the floor.

“He’s on me in the game, whatever he sees, and we have honest conversations. I think he’s been great for me, just working with him post-practice all the time, watching film all the time.

“Just giving me his takes and relaying messages that might be spoken from the other coaches as well. I think offensively and defensively, it’s a little bit of everything.

“He’s been through it. I think that’s the first thing. I think his assist-to-turnover ratio was something crazy in Europe as well.

“Just listening to what he says, taking ownership of that, learning and taking everything he says in.

“Just trying to be a sponge.”