NBA Draft Scouting Report: Miami's Matthew Cleveland
Matthew Cleveland
Wing | Miami
Height: 6'7” | Weight: 200 lbs
2024 Draft Age: 21.76
Melina Myers / USA TODAY Sports
Prospect Profile
Although Cleveland is set to return college for a third season, he’ll still be 21 at the time of the 2024 NBA Draft. He’s got incredible size for a wing that also has guard skills at 6-foot-7. The physical tools that Cleveland possesses jump off the page and are a great fit for the modern NBA. He will look to showcase that further as he transfers to Miami for the upcoming college season.
The major thing holding the incoming junior back is shooting. After knocking down less than 20% of his attempts as a freshman, he did convert on 35% last season, but he needs to continue to prove that's sustainable.
The mechanics aren’t all that bad and his shot looks pretty fluid, it just doesn’t drop. Due to these struggles from deep at times, he often passes up looks. Cleveland will need to build confidence this season as a 3-point shooter. What is a bit concerning is that he is a poor free throw shooter as well, which doesn’t give optimism towards his future shooting from beyond the arc.
With that in mind, Cleveland is effective near the rim, shooting nearly 50% on 2-point attempts the past two seasons. His body control is excellent and is something he leverages quite a bit when taking the ball to the rack.
Furthermore, the former Florida State prospect has shown the ability to create his own shot in isolation which is promising moving forward. He’s got a good handle for his size which should also translate at the NBA level. He’s a plus lob threat as a guard and likes to play above the rim.
One thing that makes Cleveland really stick out is rebounding, especially on the offensive end. He is always tracking the ball and pulls down a ton of boards for his position.
He is a solid shot blocker and defender, but still has a long way to go. Regardless, the upside is clear on that end on the floor.
As an overall prospect, what makes Cleveland unique is his ability to be productive without being a volume shooter. Many players coming out of college are good scorers, but do nothing else. Cleveland is quite the opposite. He plays with fire and energy and only got better as the year went on last season.
Cleveland came off the bench most of his freshman year and earned 2021-22 ACC Sixth Man of the Year honors before emerging as a full-time starter in year two. The former five-star prospect was once considered a one-and-done player, but is coming back for one more season to improve draft stock.
The 6-foot-7 wing is the type of player that fits nearly any system and can fill a variety of roles effectively. At Pace Academy in high school, he wont back-to-back state titles and was one of the most underrated players in his class.
Highlights
Draft Projection
Second-Round Pick in 2024 NBA Draft.
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