Mateen Cleaves

Full Name: Mateen Cleaves
Position: Guard
Height/Weight: 6-2 / 205
Birthdate: September 7, 1977 (Flint, MI)
High School: Northern HS (Flint, MI)
College: Michigan State

BACKGROUND
Participated in NBA training camp with the Boston Celtics in 2003. Played for the Sacramento Kings in the NBA during the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons, and played with the Detroit Pistons in 2000-01. In 2002-03, appeared in 12 games, averaging 1.3 points and 0.8 assists in 4.6 minutes a contest. In 2001-02, appeared in 32 games, averaging 2.2 points and 0.8 assists in 4.8 minutes a contest. Was traded after the 2000-01 season by the Detroit Pistons to the Sacramento Kings. In 2000-01, appeared in 78 games, averaging 5.4 points and 2.7 assists in 16.3 minutes a contest. Started eight games. Selected by the Detroit Pistons in the first round (#14 pick overall) of the 2000 NBA Draft.

Finished four-year career as the all-time assists leader in Michigan State and Big Ten history with 816. Also ranked tenth all-time in school history in scoring with 1,541 points, sixth in career three-point goals with 143, and the all-time leader in steals with 195. Earned Second Team All-American honors from the Associated Press as a senior and a sophomore, and earned First Team All-American honors as a junior. Was a two-time Big Ten Player of the Year and a three-time First Team All-Big Ten selection. Helped lead Michigan State to the 2000 NCAA Tournament championship.

As a senior, averaged 12.1 points and 6.9 assists. Started 24 of 26 games, missing the first 13 games of the season with a stress fracture in his right foot. Led the Big Ten in assists. Scored season-high 24 points against Ohio State. Tallied 13 points, 12 assists and four steals against Illinois. Broke the Big Ten assist record in the Big Ten Tournament and set a school and Big Ten single-game record with 20 assists in the first round against Michigan. Earned All-Big Ten Tournament honors. Scored 21 points in the second round of the NCAA Tournament against Utah. Recorded 18 points against Florida in the NCAA Tournament finals and was voted Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four.

As a junior, averaged 11.7 points and 7.2 assists. Started all 38 games. Ranked second on the team in scoring. Led the Big Ten in assists, ranking sixth nationally, and set a school single-season record for assists with 274. Dished out 10 or more assists eight times and posted six double-doubles. Scored season-high 25 points and dished out eight assists against Michigan. Registered 16 points and season-high 13 assists at Indiana. Recorded a double-double of 12 points and 10 assists against Duke in the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament. Named Big Ten Player of the Year.

As a sophomore, averaged 16.1 points and 7.2 assists. Started 29 of 30 games. Led team in scoring, assists and steals. Also led Big Ten and ranked eighth nationally in assists. Scored career-high 34 points including six three-point shots while dishing out nine assists against Northwestern. Tallied 27 points, nine rebounds and five assists against Princeton in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Named Big Ten Player of the Year by both the coaches and the media.

As a freshman, averaged 10.2 points and 5.0 assists. Started 24 of 29 games. Ranked third in the Big Ten in assists. Led team in assists and free throw shooting and ranked third in scoring. Scored season-high 20 points against Illinois.