Larry Nance Jr. details long fight with Crohn’s as he rejoins Cavaliers
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CLEVELAND — Forward Larry Nance Jr. said his two-decade battle with Crohn’s disease nearly ended his basketball career before it began, but he now returns to the Cleveland Cavaliers determined to contribute on and off the court.
Nance, 32, re-signed with the Cavaliers as a free agent in early July after stints with the Trail Blazers, Pelicans and Hawks from 2021 to 2024. Speaking on “The Big Factor,” a program on the Big Play Sports Network, the Akron-area native described how the chronic illness first surfaced while he attended Revere High School.
“About 16 or 17 years ago I got diagnosed with Crohn’s disease,” Nance said. “It stunted my growth, I wasn’t gaining weight, I had no energy. I was about to quit basketball.”
Treatment at the Cleveland Clinic stabilized his health, but Nance recalled searching online to find professional athletes living with the condition. Former Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback David Garrard, who also has Crohn’s, became his inspiration. “He became my North Star,” Nance added.
The eight-year NBA veteran later created Athletes vs. Crohn’s (AVC) during his second season with the Los Angeles Lakers. The nonprofit has raised “over seven figures” and awarded approximately 40 scholarships to students with Crohn’s in Cleveland and New York, according to Nance.
Crohn’s, an autoimmune disorder that inflames the gastrointestinal tract, forces him to maintain a strict diet. “A lot of food we can’t eat — nuts, seeds, raw vegetables for me, spicy food, any real fast food,” he said. “It requires constant paying attention to it.”
On the floor, Nance believes his outside shooting and defensive versatility suit head coach Kenny Atkinson’s roster. “The percentages look great, so I’m gonna keep letting it fly,” he noted, highlighting how his ability to stretch the floor could free guards Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell. He also expects to complement big men Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.
The Cavaliers open training camp on Sept. 30 in Florida after finishing 64-18 last season and exiting in the second round of the playoffs.
Source: Hoops Wire
