Matthew Cleveland Bio
Matthew Nathaniel Cleveland is an American professional basketball player currently listed as a free agent. He plays as a shooting guard and small forward and has competed in the NBA G League, the Canadian Elite Basketball League, and in college basketball for the Florida State Seminoles and the Miami Hurricanes. Cleveland gained national recognition during his high school years in Georgia and continued his development at the college level before entering the professional ranks in 2025.
Born on September 15, 2002, in Atlanta, Georgia, Cleveland built a reputation as a versatile wing with scoring ability, rebounding toughness, and defensive instincts. After going undrafted in the 2025 NBA draft, he signed with the Dallas Mavericks and was assigned to the Texas Legends of the NBA G League. He later joined the Salt Lake City Stars before most recently playing for the Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League.
Early Life and Background
Matthew Nathaniel Cleveland was born on September 15, 2002, in Atlanta, Georgia. He grew up in the Atlanta metropolitan area, where he developed an early interest in basketball and quickly established himself as a promising young athlete. His size and skill set allowed him to play multiple positions on the perimeter from a young age, drawing attention from local coaches and recruiters.
Cleveland attended Cambridge High School in Milton, Georgia, where he played his first two seasons of varsity basketball. He became one of the top young players in the state, which led him to transfer to Pace Academy in Atlanta for his junior year. The move gave him the opportunity to compete at a higher level of high school competition in Georgia.
Path to Basketball
During his junior season at Pace Academy, Cleveland averaged 22.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 2.9 steals per game while leading his team to the Georgia Class 3A state championship. His performance earned him Georgia 3A Player of the Year honors. As a senior, he continued to dominate, averaging 22.8 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and two steals per game.
In his senior campaign, Cleveland guided Pace Academy to a 28–2 record and a Georgia Class 2A state championship. He was recognized as the Georgia 2A Player of the Year and earned Atlanta/South Fulton Player of the Year honors from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also selected to the United States team for the Nike Hoop Summit in 2021, one of the most prestigious all-star events for elite high school basketball prospects.
Matthew Cleveland Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
Cleveland was ranked as a five-star recruit by 247Sports and Rivals, and as a four-star recruit by ESPN, making him one of the most sought-after high school players in the country. On July 21, 2020, he committed to playing college basketball at Florida State over scholarship offers from Kansas, Michigan, Stanford, and NC State. His commitment signaled his intent to compete at the highest level of collegiate basketball.
Cleveland spent two seasons at Florida State, appearing in a reserve role as a freshman and sophomore. He quickly made an impact with his scoring and rebounding, helping the Seminoles in Atlantic Coast Conference play and earning league recognition for his contributions off the bench.
Florida State Breakthrough (2021–2023)
Cleveland made an immediate impression during his freshman year at Florida State. On November 24, 2021, he scored 17 points, including a put-back basket with 2.1 seconds remaining in overtime, to give the Seminoles an 81–80 victory over Boston University. His buzzer-beating ability became a defining trait early in his college career.
On February 26, 2022, Cleveland hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to lift Florida State to a 64–63 win against Virginia, finishing the game with 20 points. These clutch performances helped him earn ACC Sixth Man of the Year honors in 2022, recognizing his impact as a reserve and his ability to deliver in critical moments.
Miami Era (2023–2025)
Following his sophomore season, Cleveland transferred to the University of Miami in the summer of 2023 to play his junior and senior seasons with the Miami Hurricanes. The move allowed him to take on a larger role within the program and continue his development as a scoring wing in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
At Miami, Cleveland contributed as a versatile perimeter player, helping the Hurricanes in conference play over two seasons. His experience in a second major college program further prepared him for the transition to professional basketball.
Professional Debut and Texas Legends (2025–2026)
After going undrafted in the 2025 NBA draft, Cleveland signed with the Dallas Mavericks in July 2025. He was waived on October 17, 2025, and was assigned to the Mavericks’ NBA G League affiliate, the Texas Legends. The assignment gave him the opportunity to compete in the NBA G League and continue developing his game against professional-level competition.
Salt Lake City Stars (2026–Present)
On January 14, 2026, Cleveland was traded to the Salt Lake City Stars, the NBA G League affiliate of the Utah Jazz, alongside a 2026 second-round pick. The trade returned the player rights to Darin Green, an international draft pick, a 2027 first-round pick, and a second-round pick to the Mavericks organization. The move gave Cleveland a fresh start in a new developmental system.
Driving Style and Strengths
Cleveland is listed at 6 feet 7 inches tall and 208 pounds, giving him the frame of a modern wing. His strengths include perimeter scoring, rebounding, and defensive versatility, allowing him to guard multiple positions. His history of clutch shooting, including multiple buzzer-beaters in college, reflects confidence in late-game situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Cleveland’s most memorable moments are his overtime winner against Boston University in November 2021 and his buzzer-beating three-pointer against Virginia in February 2022. He was also named to the United States team for the 2021 Nike Hoop Summit and earned ACC Sixth Man of the Year honors in 2022. These achievements helped establish his reputation as a competitive and reliable player.
Matthew Cleveland Career Wins
Matthew Cleveland’s competitive résumé includes team championships at the high school level and individual recognition during his college career. He has not yet accumulated a verifiable list of professional individual awards, but his path through multiple developmental leagues shows steady progression since 2025.
High School and College Highlights
Cleveland won two Georgia state high school championships with Pace Academy, capturing the Class 3A title as a junior and the Class 2A title as a senior. He earned Georgia 3A Player of the Year, Georgia 2A Player of the Year, and Atlanta/South Fulton Player of the Year honors from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. At the college level, he was named ACC Sixth Man of the Year in 2022 and represented the United States at the 2021 Nike Hoop Summit.
Other Wins and Performances
As a recruit, Cleveland committed to Florida State over offers from several major college programs, including Kansas, Michigan, Stanford, and NC State, underscoring his status as one of the top prospects in his class. His professional career remains in its early stages as he continues to pursue long-term opportunities in basketball.
Matthew Cleveland Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
There is limited publicly available verified information about Matthew Cleveland’s immediate family or any extended athletic lineage. His documented background centers on his high school and college basketball development in Georgia and Florida.
Personal Life
Cleveland was born and raised in the Atlanta, Georgia area and attended schools in Milton and Atlanta before moving on to college programs in Tallahassee and Miami. Publicly verified details about his marital status, spouse, or children are not currently available.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Matthew Cleveland’s transition from college basketball to the professional ranks. After completing his senior season at the University of Miami, he declared for the 2025 NBA draft and went undrafted, but signed with the Dallas Mavericks in July 2025. He was later waived and assigned to the Texas Legends of the NBA G League to begin his professional career.
Cleveland’s assignment to the Texas Legends allowed him to gain meaningful playing time in the NBA G League and adjust to the pace and physicality of professional basketball. His development with the Mavericks’ affiliate provided a foundation for his next opportunity, which came when he was traded to the Salt Lake City Stars in January 2026.
As the 2025 season continued, Cleveland focused on refining his perimeter scoring, rebounding, and defensive skills. His movement between G League affiliates and his subsequent signing with the Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League reflect a steady pursuit of consistent professional minutes and long-term roster stability.