Former Princeton standout Xaivian Lee signs with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Exhibit 10 contract

A new chapter has begun for former Princeton phenom Xaivian Lee. 

After going undrafted in the 2026 NBA draft, he signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The spot, however, is non-guaranteed, meaning that Lee still has to compete in the summer league for an official roster spot.

The Exhibit 10 deal opens the door for Lee to negotiate a potential deal to play for the Cavs, but also for their G-League affiliate, the Cleveland Charge, come the regular season.

Lee did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Lee spent his first three college years at Princeton, gaining national attention in his junior year from some of the best basketball schools in the country, including then-reigning national champions the Florida Gators. Ultimately, Lee decided to transfer to Florida, taking the role of a graduating Walter Clayton Jr. 

Before his ascent to the NBA and even the University of Florida, Lee first suited up in orange and black for his first season at Princeton in 2022, where he saw minimal playing time coming off the bench, averaging just 4.8 points per game as a first year.

It wasn’t until his sophomore year that Lee began to see more responsibility on the court. 

He exploded onto the college basketball scene, tearing up his Ivy League competition. Lee averaged 17.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in his second year, leading Princeton to a 24–5 regular season record and an outright Ivy League regular season title with a 12–2 conference record. 

Lee’s standout season led him to declare for the 2024 NBA draft, but he decided to return to Princeton for his junior year to continue his development. Lee maintained the bar he had set in his previous season, averaging 16.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game, while breaking the single-season program assist record with 165 assists. 

Lee was also the first to record a triple-double in program history, leading the Tigers to a win over Saint Joseph’s in 2024. 

In both his sophomore and junior years, he earned unanimous first team All-Ivy selections, while gaining interest from major basketball programs from around the country, hoping to sweep him away in the transfer portal. 

In the end, Lee transferred to Florida for his final year of eligibility, leaving behind a historic Princeton legacy.

“I’m nothing but grateful for my three years here at Princeton. Princeton has been so good to me. It’s obviously a tough decision, but I see myself as a Princeton guy forever,” Lee said to The Daily Princetonian shortly after committing to Florida. 

In Gainesville, Lee got off to a rocky start, drawing criticism as he struggled to find his footing on a bigger SEC stage. His efficiency dipped below the standard he set at Princeton, as he struggled with turnovers and shot selection. 

But Lee turned his season around in the back half, finishing with an average of 11.6 points per game, leading his team with 147 assists, and helping lead the Gators to a regular-season SEC Title with a 16–2 conference record. 

However, a loss to Iowa in just the second round of the tournament brought the Gators’ season and Lee’s college career to an end.

Lee will report to the Cavaliers’ training camp in preparation for the NBA Summer League, where he will look to earn a spot on the roster. The Cavs will play their first summer league game on Friday, July 10, at 4:30 p.m.

Jordan Halagao is an assistant Sports editor for the ‘Prince.’

Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.