Former FSU basketball player and Atlanta native Matthew Cleveland has decided to transfer to the University of Miami, choosing the Hurricanes over Auburn and Missouri. The 6-foot-7, former five-star prospect was the No. 25 player in the country and the seventh-best wing coming out of Pace Academy in the 2021 recruiting class, as per the 247Sports Composite rankings. He is the first addition via the transfer portal for Coach Jim Larranaga this year.
Cleveland had a standout sophomore season at Florida State, averaging 13.8 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, while shooting 44.5 percent from the field and 35 percent from beyond the arc. He started all 30 games he played for the Seminoles, who had their first losing campaign under longtime coach Leonard Hamilton since 2004-05. Cleveland earned the ACC Sixth Man of the Year award as a freshman, when he averaged 11.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists off the bench. Cleveland made a significant jump from the 3-point line this season, shooting 35% behind the arc after posting a 17.6% mark during his freshman season.
The addition of Cleveland to Miami’s roster is a significant boost for the team, as coach Jim Larranaga has a strong record of success with transfers. The Hurricanes reached the 2023 Final Four, led by transfers Jordan Miller, Norchad Omier, and Nijel Pack. Cleveland's arrival essentially fills the gap left by Miller, who has exhausted his eligibility. Although the two bring different skill sets to the table, Cleveland’s length and versatility on the defensive end of the floor should be a major plus for the Canes. Cleveland was a projected first round pick by many outlets during his freshman season before deciding to return to school.
Miami's roster is in flux until Omier and Pack make their NBA Draft decisions, as both players have the option to return. Sources around the Miami program expect both to be back– the deadline to withdraw is June 1. If Cleveland is joined by returning starter Wooga Poplar and possibly Omier and Pack, Miami basketball will have an excellent foundation for the upcoming season – not to mention the return of Bensley Joseph, the addition of Michael Nwoko and Kyshawn George in the recruiting class, and continued development of young players such as AJ Casey, Christian Watson, and Jakai Robinson.
Cleveland had a standout sophomore season at Florida State, averaging 13.8 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, while shooting 44.5 percent from the field and 35 percent from beyond the arc. He started all 30 games he played for the Seminoles, who had their first losing campaign under longtime coach Leonard Hamilton since 2004-05. Cleveland earned the ACC Sixth Man of the Year award as a freshman, when he averaged 11.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists off the bench. Cleveland made a significant jump from the 3-point line this season, shooting 35% behind the arc after posting a 17.6% mark during his freshman season.
The addition of Cleveland to Miami’s roster is a significant boost for the team, as coach Jim Larranaga has a strong record of success with transfers. The Hurricanes reached the 2023 Final Four, led by transfers Jordan Miller, Norchad Omier, and Nijel Pack. Cleveland's arrival essentially fills the gap left by Miller, who has exhausted his eligibility. Although the two bring different skill sets to the table, Cleveland’s length and versatility on the defensive end of the floor should be a major plus for the Canes. Cleveland was a projected first round pick by many outlets during his freshman season before deciding to return to school.
Miami's roster is in flux until Omier and Pack make their NBA Draft decisions, as both players have the option to return. Sources around the Miami program expect both to be back– the deadline to withdraw is June 1. If Cleveland is joined by returning starter Wooga Poplar and possibly Omier and Pack, Miami basketball will have an excellent foundation for the upcoming season – not to mention the return of Bensley Joseph, the addition of Michael Nwoko and Kyshawn George in the recruiting class, and continued development of young players such as AJ Casey, Christian Watson, and Jakai Robinson.
