‘A really dark time for me': How this Australian shook off his demons to land an NBA deal with the Cavs
That includes shooting hoops with juniors at his old club, the Sutherland Sharks, and feeding the giraffes at Taronga Zoo, where his whole family was invited as a homecoming gift.
The 21-year-old signed a four-year NBA contract worth at least $US3.4 million (A$5.25m) with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and reflected on how his success was built from heartbreak.
In April 2024, Proctor was as low as he had been after shooting 0-9 as his highly favoured Duke University team was knocked out of the NCAA Tournament by North Carolina State in front of an audience of millions.
The Blue Devils have a following bigger than several NBA teams, and that spotlight can turn harsh when you fail to perform.
Proctor was expected to test his NBA Draft chances last year, as some scouts rated him worthy of a first-round pick, which carries a multi-million dollar guaranteed contract.
'It was a really dark time for me,' Proctor admitted.
'Just mentally. I think I shot 0-11 or something. I had a really bad finishing game and had a lot of ups and downs that season.
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