LJ Cryer

Cryer is an American guard who reached the NBA as an undrafted free agent in 2025 after a decorated five-year college career at Baylor and Houston. He has played for the Golden State Warriors on a two-way contract after winning a national championship and reaching another title game at the collegiate level.

Born Lionel Cryer Jr. on October 9, 2001, in Katy, Texas, he attended Morton Ranch High School. As a junior, he averaged 27.5 points and was named District 19-6A MVP. As a senior, he averaged 34.2 points, 5.3 assists, and 2.4 steals and had a 50-point, 10-assist game in the regular season finale. He finished with 3,488 career points, the most in Houston-area public school history. He was named All-Greater Houston Player of the Year by the Houston Chronicle. He committed to Baylor.

At Baylor, Cryer received limited playing time as a freshman but was part of the team that won the 2021 national championship. As a sophomore, he averaged 13.5 points before a foot injury. As a junior, he averaged 15.0 points and was named Third Team All-Big 12. He transferred to Houston and averaged 15.5 points as a senior and 15.7 points in his fifth year, helping the Cougars reach the 2025 NCAA championship game.

After going undrafted in 2025, Cryer joined the Golden State Warriors for Summer League and signed an Exhibit 10 contract. He was waived in October, joined the Santa Cruz Warriors, and signed a two-way contract with Golden State on December 2, 2025. On April 1, 2026, he made his first career start with a career-high 17 points.

Cryer is a scoring guard with elite three-point range, a quick release, and a willingness to take big shots. He operates in transition, relocates off screens, and has shown the ability to get hot and score in bunches. His offensive efficiency and clutch shooting make him a valuable floor-spacing option.

Cryer enters each season working to secure consistent NBA rotation minutes after an undrafted start and a championship pedigree at the collegiate level. His trajectory from a Texas high school to a Baylor national champion, a Houston transfer, and an NBA two-way contract player reflects scoring excellence and a commitment to expanding his offensive arsenal at every level.