Cavs’ Craig Porter Jr. exceeding expectations, earning Rising-Stars buzz

The Cleveland Cavaliers are inthe midst of an impressive season, boasting the fourth-best record(26-16) in the Eastern Conference after winning eight of their lastnine games.

Rookie Craig Porter Jr. has beena key contributor and one of the pleasant surprises of the 2023-24season. Despite going undrafted, Porter has surprisingly emerged asa standout player. After starting point guard Darius Garland wentdown with an injury, Porter stepped up. In five games as a starter,he averaged 11.4 points, 7.4 assists, 6.2 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and1.2 steals.

In an interview with AlexKennedy on the show “Running Up The Score,” Porter talked about hisearly success in the NBA and how he’s surprised even himself withthe way he’s started his career.

“I mean it's been veryfast-paced," Porter said. "With all the injuries we’ve had so farthis season, I’ve been pushed to play pretty early. So, thelearning process has just been the same as the playing process, assoon as I got put in, I was learning everything and it was all new,but it has been an amazing journey so far.”

The 6-foot-2 point guard is theonly rookie averaging at least 10 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assistsas a starter this season.

“I am very surprised, becausecoming in on a two-way [contract] and spending training camp witheverybody healthy, you don't necessarily think that four or fivepeople are gonna get hurt and that's gonna be your firstopportunity within the first two or three weeks of your firstseason,” Porter said. “Even to not play in the G League was kind ofcrazy to me – it was just so fast-paced and it just caught me offguard. I didn't think it was gonna be an opportunity that fast, butI figured it would be at some point.”

Running Up The Score starts NOW! ClevelandCavaliers rookie Craig Porter joins me to discuss:🏀 Terrific rookie season🏀 Toughest player he’s guarded🏀 Studying Rajon Rondo🏀 Support from Cavs fans🏀 What he learned in JUCOWATCH: https://t.co/XjqLmh6hBI

Success in the NBA often comesdown to opportunities and a player's situation. When Cavs headcoach J.B. Bickerstaff texted Porter that he would be moving intothe starting lineup, Porter initially thought he was joking.However, he quickly realized his coach was serious and began toprepare. He knew he had to make the most of the opportunity, andthat's what exactly what he's done.

“Once the first one[opportunity] came, I started playing well and I felt like I wasready. And then a couple of games later, I started some games andthen I started earning more and more trust from everybody," Porterexplained. "Then, it was just like, 'Okay, I know I'm with the Cavsfull-time now.'"

When it comes to Porter'stransition to the NBA, the 82-game schedule has been the toughestpart.

“[The schedule] is different,for sure. We’re probably halfway through the year now and, I mean,it's just ridiculous. I didn't realize how many games you reallyplay each week," Porter said. "It's taking some adjusting, but Ijust feel like once I figured out my routine, it kind of madeeverything a lot easier. And the [travel] is fun, you get to go seeall these cities. It's crazy to think what basketball can do foryou."

The 23-year-old out of WichitaState credited his age and maturity for helping him adjust to theNBA. Unlike a one-and-done rookie who came into the league at ayoung age, Porter believes his college experience has done wondersfor him in terms of knowing his role on the team.

“I did five years in college, soI feel like I just have been put in every situation that canprepare me to be a pro," Porter said. "I’ve played the role ofbeing just a role player, being just a defender, somebody who justsits in the corner… I'm just prepared for any role that I'm put in.I feel like nothing’s too big for me to handle. Any situation I'vebeen put in so far, I’ve proven that I can just handle it and mymaturity’s probably the biggest thing that stuck out during allthat."

Due to his solid play, Porterhas been mentioned as a potential selection for the Rising StarsChallenge during NBA All-Star Weekend in February — a distinctiongiven to the top rookies in the league. He shared what it wouldmean to him if he was selected.

“It would mean the world(getting selected) not because I'm undrafted, but because of thejourney that I've gone through. Even just the things I've done thisseason, I mean, if anybody deserves it, I feel like I do, for sure.But I'm not gonna be mad at it because I just wanna win at the endof the day. I would take winning over anything, obviously. Butthose personal goals of mine are getting into these things. I'mjust gonna keep being me and playing the way I do.

"But obviously, yes, I wouldlove to be in that stuff,” Porter said with a big smile.