Inside The Panthers

Pitt Contacts Florida State Transfer Matthew Cleveland

The Pitt Panthers are hoping to keep a productive Florida State transfer in the ACC.

Stephen Thompson

Pitt Contacts Florida State Transfer Matthew Cleveland
Pitt Contacts Florida State Transfer Matthew Cleveland /
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PITTSBURGH -- One of the most versatile and productive players in the ACC opted to enter the transfer portal this offseason and he's drawn interest from high major programs all over the country, including the Pitt Panthers. 

Matthew Cleveland, a former five-star and top-30 recruit, has decided to transfer from Florida State after two very successful seasons in Tallahassee. Pitt joins SMU, Texas, Wake Forest, Kansas State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Missouri, Arkansas, NC State, Miami, Texas A&M, Indiana, Auburn, Wichita State, Clemson, Michigan and USF in contacting Cleveland just hours after he entered the transfer portal, according to On3 recruiting insider Joe Tipton. 

Cleveland, the 2021-22 ACC Sixth Man of the Year, averaged 12.7 points per game on 44.8% shooting form the field over his two seasons with Florida State. The 6'7, 200-pound forward made big strides in his rebounding and shooting from last season, averaging 2.8 more boards per night year-to-year and seeing his 3-point percentage jump from 17.6% to 35% on more attempts. 

The Panthers could use some frontcourt depth after losing John Hugley and Nate Santos to the transfer portal. Cleveland has the versatility to play both on the wing and down low and the experience to be an impact player immediately. With at least two years of eligibility remaining, this could be a long-term investment for Pitt unless Cleveland's play is good enough to lift him into NBA Draft conversations. 

Make sure you bookmark Inside the Panthers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage and so much more!

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Stephen Thompson
STEPHEN THOMPSON

Stephen Thompson graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Pitt in April 2022 after spending four years as a sports writer and editor at The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh's independent, student-run newspaper.  He primarily worked the Pitt men's basketball beat, and filled in on coverage of football, volleyball, softball, gymnastics and lacrosse, in addition to other sports as needed. His work at The Pitt News has won awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association and Associated College Press.  During the spring and summer of 2021, Stephen interned for Pittsburgh Sports Now, covering baseball in western Pennsylvania. Hailing from Washington D.C., family ties have cultivated a love of Boston's professional teams and Pitt athletics, and a fascination with sports in general.  You can reach Stephen by email at stephenethompson00@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter. Read his latest work:

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