Matthew Cleveland: A 2025 NBA Draft Gem Hidden In Plain Sight

Matthew Cleveland is a 22 year old Miami Hurricanes men’s basketball guard/forward that’s listed at 6’7″, 210-pounds. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Cleveland is an athletic two-way wing prospect with a well-rounded game. He blends scoring with rebounding instincts and intriguing defensive potential. This breakdown explores what makes Matthew Cleveland a compelling NBA Draft prospect, from his offensive skill set to his defensive upside, and long-term NBA outlook.

Built to Score: A Three-Level Offensive Threat

Cleveland can score at all three levels, using his athleticism to attack the basket, knock down mid-range shots, and stretch the floor with a developing outside jumper. He’s also a lob threat from the wing and contributes on the offensive glass by cleaning up and securing extra possessions.

Fearless Finisher: Attacking the Rim with Power and Precision

Cleveland thrives as a slasher, showing the ability to get past defenders and finish strong at the rim either with finesse or power. He’s comfortable absorbing contact and finishing through it, especially in transition, where he’s effective going coast to coast after grabbing loose balls, steals or rebounds.

In the half-court, he displays a versatile close range arsenal, scoring off basket cuts, face-ups attacks, and post-ups. His footwork helps him create space for floaters, baby hooks, and turnaround jumpers etc.

Cleveland plays with aggression when driving to the basket. While his shot selection is generally solid, there are times he forces attempts in traffic or goes up soft, leading to missed shots or blocks. Still, his assertiveness frequently earns trips to the line, where he’s a good free throw shooter. He’s also crafty at drawing contact on jumpers.

Stretching the Floor: An Evolving Outside Shot

Cleveland has made noticeable strides as a shooter. He can knock down shots off the catch or dribble, with or without screens, in the half-court or transition. His high release allows him to get shots off cleanly, and he’s steadily become a more confident shooter from deep, showing real growth during his senior season.

Though he can connect from three, his shot isn’t yet pure by NBA standards. Some attempts lack arc or come off flat, but continued refinement will unlock another level to his scoring arsenal.

Midrange Game: Effective Shot Creation From His Spots

Cleveland is also effective in the midrange. He can pull up off the dribble, back defenders down, and score with turnarounds especially from the short corners, elbows and its extended areas. His ability to get defenders in the air and draw fouls adds value to this part of his game.

Defensive Tools: Switchable Wing Defender With Length & Solid Lateral Movement

Defensively, Cleveland shows promising upside. He moves well laterally and reacts quickly, allowing him to stay in front of ball handlers and contest effectively. His length and athleticism enable him to switch across multiple positions, and get off his feet quickly to alter shots on the perimeter and in the paint, and even block shots in timely moments.

He’s not a finished product, but the tools are there for him to develop into a reliable multi-positional defender and one day potentially a legit defensive stopper.

Rebounding Impact: Second Chances And Grab-and-Go Ability

Cleveland also contributes on the glass, chasing down rebounds and creating extra possessions for his team. His motor and effort in this area stand out, particularly when cleaning up missed shots for second-chance opportunities or pushing the ball in transition after a defensive board.

Next-Level Outlook: Sleeper Potential with Room to Grow

Matthew Cleveland projects as a versatile scoring wing with the tools to contribute on both ends. His slashing ability, three-level scoring, ability to get to the charity strip, defensive versatility and rebounding potential make him a compelling option off the bench early in his career, with the upside to grow into a starting role or better.

Though based on his current NBA Draft projection he may not hear his name called on draft night, Cleveland’s size, athleticism, and all-around game give him a real shot to stick and thrive in the NBA. He’s a highlight reel sleeper prospect who could prove to be a valuable addition for the team willing to invest in his development and provide a real opportunity to contribute.