Miami Hurricanes Men's Basketball Player Preview: Matthew Cleveland
College Basketball is approaching as the Miami Hurricanes men's basketball team prepares for an exciting season.
In this new era of college sports, teams will often be different year after year and that is the same for the 2024-25 Hurricanes team. Only three players from last season return for this season as Matthew Cleavland returns to provide meaningful minutes for the hurricanes.
The 6'7 transfer guard from Florida State had a great season for the Hurricanes last year averaging 13.7 points a game, 6.1 rebounds, and close to two assists. He is a big guard for the college and pro standard but what he excels in is his defensive capabilities.
He turned into a steal machine last season with a total of 39 steals on the season adding along 14 blocks. He is a great defensive guard who can guard 1-4 and with how loaded the ACC is with pro-level talent, this is only a positive.
One thing that does need to be noted is his three-point shooting ability. He can make them but he shoots at a 35-percent clip. For a guard that could be better, and is something he has been working on during the off-season.
The key for Cleveland is to be a mentor to the highest recruit in program history Jalil Bethea who looks to shine in his role for the Hurricanes.
READ MORE: A Closer Look At Miami's Five-Star Commit Jalil Bethea: Extra Point
Cleveland will be one of the leaders on this team and as one of the oldest players on the roster, this could be a great way for him to improve his draft stock with more time on the court with an improved game after last season.
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Justice Sandle is a graduate of Mississippi State University earning a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Communications with a concentration in Print and Digital Journalism. During his time in Starkville, he spent a year as an intern working for Mississippi State On SI primarily covering basketball, football, baseball, and soccer while writing, recording, and creating multimedia stories during his tenor. Since graduating, he has assumed the role of lead staff writer for Miami Hurricanes On SI covering football, basketball, baseball, and all things Hurricanes related.