Matthew Nathaniel Cleveland Bio
Matthew Nathaniel Cleveland is an American professional basketball player who currently plays as a shooting guard and small forward. Born on September 15, 2002, in Atlanta, Georgia, Cleveland established himself as one of the most decorated high school players in Georgia before advancing to a successful college career at Florida State and Miami. After going undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft, Cleveland began his professional journey in the NBA G League. Standing 6 feet 7 inches tall and weighing 208 pounds, he brings versatility and scoring ability to his position. His career highlights include earning ACC Sixth Man of the Year honors in 2022 and representing the United States at the Nike Hoop Summit in 2021.
Early Life and Background
Matthew Nathaniel Cleveland grew up in the Atlanta metropolitan area of Georgia, where he developed his passion for basketball at a young age. His early exposure to competitive basketball laid the foundation for the impressive career that would follow. Cleveland attended Cambridge High School in Milton, Georgia, for his freshman through junior years, where he quickly established himself as a dominant player.
During his junior season at Cambridge High School, Cleveland showcased his all-around game by averaging 22.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 2.9 steals per game. His exceptional performance led his team to the Class 3A state championship, and his individual excellence earned him the Georgia 3A Player of the Year award. These achievements caught the attention of college scouts nationwide and set the stage for his continued development.
Path to Basketball
Prior to his senior year, Cleveland transferred to Pace Academy in Atlanta, Georgia, a program known for producing high-level college athletes. The move to a new competitive environment further sharpened his skills and prepared him for the next level of his basketball journey. At Pace Academy, Cleveland continued to elevate his game to new heights.
As a senior, Cleveland delivered an even more impressive statistical performance, averaging 22.8 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2 steals per game. He guided his team to a remarkable 28-2 record and captured the Class 2A state championship. His outstanding season earned him Georgia 2A Player of the Year honors and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Atlanta/South Fulton Player of the Year recognition. Cleveland’s senior year performance solidified his status as one of the top prospects in the country.
His play during high school earned him an invitation to represent the United States team at the Nike Hoop Summit in 2021, a prestigious event featuring the best international and American high school players. Cleveland was considered a five-star recruit by both 247Sports and Rivals, while ESPN rated him as a four-star prospect. His collegiate recruitment attracted attention from major programs nationwide.
On July 21, 2020, Cleveland made his college commitment, choosing to play for Florida State over offers from established programs including Kansas, Michigan, Stanford, and NC State. His decision to join the Florida State Seminoles marked the beginning of his collegiate basketball career.
Matthew Nathaniel Cleveland Career
Florida State Seminoles (2021–2023)
Matthew Nathaniel Cleveland began his college basketball career with the Florida State Seminoles in the 2021-2022 season. He made an immediate impact coming off the bench, providing the team with scoring and defensive energy. His versatility allowed him to contribute in multiple facets of the game, and he quickly became a valuable sixth man for the Seminoles.
One of Cleveland’s most memorable moments came on November 24, 2021, when he scored 17 points including a crucial put-back basket with just 2.1 seconds remaining in overtime, leading Florida State to an 81-80 victory over Boston University. Another standout performance occurred on February 26, 2022, when he scored 20 points and hit a dramatic three-pointer at the buzzer to secure a 64-63 win against Virginia. His exceptional season earned him ACC Sixth Man of the Year honors, recognizing his importance to the Seminoles’ success as a reserve player.
Miami Hurricanes (2023–2025)
Following his sophomore season at Florida State, Cleveland transferred to the University of Miami in the summer of 2023 for his junior and senior years. The move to Miami represented an opportunity for new challenges and the chance to further develop his game in the ACC. At Miami, Cleveland took on an expanded role and continued to demonstrate his scoring ability and basketball intelligence.
During his two seasons with the Miami Hurricanes, Cleveland built on the foundation he established at Florida State. His experience in the ACC and his continued development made him a legitimate professional prospect heading into the 2025 NBA Draft. Despite his collegiate success, Cleveland went undrafted in 2025, but his professional career was far from over.
Professional Career (2025–Present)
After the 2025 NBA Draft concluded without his name being called, Matthew Nathaniel Cleveland signed with the Dallas Mavericks organization in July 2025. The signing represented the beginning of his professional basketball journey. However, his tenure with the Mavericks was brief, as he was waived on October 17, 2025. Following his release, Cleveland was assigned to the Dallas Mavericks’ NBA G League affiliate, the Texas Legends, where he continued his development as a professional player.
On January 14, 2026, Cleveland was traded to the Salt Lake City Stars, the NBA G League affiliate of the Utah Jazz. The trade included a 2026 second-round pick in exchange for the returning player rights to Darin Green, an International draft pick, a 2027 first-round pick, and a second-round pick. This move provided Cleveland with a fresh opportunity to showcase his abilities in the G League. Cleveland’s professional career continues to evolve as he works to establish himself at the professional level.
Driving Style and Strengths
Matthew Nathaniel Cleveland’s game is characterized by his versatility on both ends of the floor. His 6-foot-7 frame allows him to play effectively as both a shooting guard and small forward, giving him positional flexibility. Offensively, Cleveland excels at scoring from mid-range and around the rim while also possessing the ability to stretch the floor with his three-point shooting. His basketball IQ and court vision enable him to make smart decisions with the ball. Defensively, Cleveland’s length and instincts allow him to guard multiple positions, making him a valuable two-way player. His rebounding ability from the guard position adds another dimension to his game, as demonstrated by his double-digit rebound averages during his senior year of high school.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his basketball career, Matthew Nathaniel Cleveland has accumulated several notable achievements. Winning back-to-back state championships at different classification levels showcased his ability to elevate his play in crucial moments. His buzzer-beating three-pointer against Virginia during his freshman year at Florida State remains one of the most memorable moments of his collegiate career. Earning ACC Sixth Man of the Year honors in his first collegiate season demonstrated his ability to make an immediate impact at a major conference program. Representing the United States at the Nike Hoop Summit in 2021 placed him among the elite high school prospects nationally and internationally.
Matthew Nathaniel Cleveland Career Wins
Matthew Nathaniel Cleveland has accumulated significant achievements throughout his basketball career spanning high school, college, and the beginning of his professional journey. His success at multiple levels reflects his consistent performance and ability to compete against high-level competition.
High School and College Highlights
During his high school career, Cleveland led his teams to two Georgia state championships, winning the Class 3A title as a junior at Cambridge High School and the Class 2A championship as a senior at Pace Academy. His individual accolades during this period include Georgia 3A Player of the Year and Georgia 2A Player of the Year honors. He also earned Atlanta Journal-Constitution Atlanta/South Fulton Player of the Year recognition. In college, Cleveland’s most significant achievement was winning the ACC Sixth Man of the Year award in 2022 during his freshman season at Florida State. He played a key role in important victories including the dramatic overtime win against Boston University and the buzzer-beater against Virginia.
Other Achievements
Beyond his championship and award accomplishments, Cleveland’s career includes participation in the Nike Hoop Summit representing the United States, which featured the top high school prospects from around the world. His successful recruitment as a five-star prospect by major collegiate programs including Kansas, Michigan, Stanford, and NC State before choosing Florida State underscores his standing as an elite basketball talent throughout his development.
Matthew Nathaniel Cleveland Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Specific details about Matthew Nathaniel Cleveland’s family background, including information about his parents, are not extensively documented in available sources. His upbringing in the Atlanta area provided him with access to competitive basketball programs that helped develop his talents.
Personal Life
Beyond basketball, Cleveland maintains a presence on social media, where he connects with fans. He completed his collegiate career at both Florida State and Miami, earning his degree while developing as a basketball player. His journey from Atlanta high school standout to ACC player to professional basketball player reflects his dedication to the sport. Cleveland continues to work toward establishing himself at the professional level following his collegiate career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a significant transition in Matthew Nathaniel Cleveland’s basketball career as he moved from college basketball to the professional ranks. The 2024-2025 college basketball season represented his senior year at Miami, where he continued building on the foundation established at Florida State. Following the conclusion of his collegiate career, Cleveland entered the 2025 NBA Draft.
After going undrafted, Cleveland signed with the Dallas Mavericks organization in July 2025, beginning his professional career. Though he was waived in October 2025, his assignment to the Texas Legends in the NBA G League provided him with valuable professional experience. The transition from college to professional basketball presents challenges, but Cleveland’s versatility and two-way ability give him tools to succeed at the next level.
Looking ahead, Cleveland’s ability to adapt to professional basketball speed and physicality will determine his trajectory. His experience playing in the ACC against high-level competition should help his adjustment period. As he continues developing with the Salt Lake City Stars, Cleveland has the opportunity to showcase the skills that made him a successful college player and work toward achieving his goal of playing at the highest levels of professional basketball.