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Matthew Cleveland is a 6’6 190 pound shooting guard from Alpharetta, GA.
The Class of 2021 prospect attends Pace Academy and has a 99 rating (high 4-star) from the 247 Sports Composite List. The collective sites consider him the 24th best player in America (3rd best shooting guard and 2nd best player in Georgia), although he could conceivably see a bump based on his recent performances.
After a recruitment that has garnered attention from all over the country, Cleveland committed to Leonard Hamilton’s Florida State Seminoles, over the Kansas Jayhawks, Michigan Wolverines, North Carolina State Wolfpack, and Stanford Cardinal:
#committed pic.twitter.com/bfsKLxruo8
— Matthew Cleveland (@MCleveland35) July 21, 2020
As is often the case, Hamilton and his staff were among the first to offer the talented combo guard back in March 2019:
Blessed to receive an offer from Florida State University! #GoSeminoles pic.twitter.com/KfJzfTxiGw
— Matthew Cleveland (@MCleveland35) March 26, 2019
Cleveland narrowed his list to 16 in April:
I would like to thank every school and coach for taking the time to get to know me and my family. But from this point forward, I will be considering these 16 schools as I feel it is the best decision for my future. I cannot say how blessed I am and to all glory go to God. #Top16 pic.twitter.com/37u3rOM3aY
— Matthew Cleveland (@MCleveland35) April 15, 2020
He then trimmed it to five in late June:
— Matthew Cleveland (@MCleveland35) June 29, 2020
While the staff obviously deserves the lion’s share of the credit, star commit Bryce McGowens has been doing his part, as well. Cleveland and McGowens now form a ridiculous combination of length and athleticism on the perimeter. And speaking of length, big man Naheem McLeod is currently the other member in the Class of ’21 after reclassifying from 2020.
Can’t thing of a better wing-tandem in 2021 than Cleveland-Bryce McGowens. Two tremendously talented and versatile wings.
— Corey Evans (@coreyevans_10) July 21, 2020
FSU far from done in 2021 but no longer can we look at the Noles as a development only program. Major recruiting threat for the nation’s best every year.