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Five-star 2028 guard Mateen Cleaves Jr. talks early recruitment, summer
The 6-3 point guard gives his offer list and schools to reach out since June 15, talks his relationship with Michigan and Michigan State, and more.
Sam Lance
July 30, 2026
As the son of legendary Michigan State point guard and former NBA player Mateen Cleaves, class of 2028 prospect Mateen Cleaves Jr. has been around the game for a long time.
And he sure plays like it.
Cleaves Jr., the 6-3 point guard from Flint (MI), has a game mature beyond his years, and it was on full display this summer. At Nike Elite 100 Camp in Saint Louis, the five-star point guard dominated the camp and led his team to the championship game.
If it weren’t for most of his teammates leaving early on championship day due to flight availability, Cleaves Jr. likely would’ve won it all.
"I lost in the Elite 100 championship last year, so the goal was to win the championship this year,” Cleaves Jr. said. “But I lost in the championship again. But Elite 100 was great. You play the best of the best and the coaches are great. Rasheed Wallace, Cory Alexander and elite EYBL coaches. So it's the best of the best there."
The point guard was also a standout on the EYBL circuit while competing with the Oakland Soldiers 16u program. Cleaves Jr. averaged 15.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.3 steals across 18 games, cementing himself as one of 2028’s most consistent and versatile players.
“I would just say I’m very unselfish,” Cleaves Jr. said. “I play the right way. High IQ guy. Just make the right reads. If there's a shot, I take it. But getting in the paint, playing off two feet and making the right read — I just play unselfish and the right away."
Cleaves Jr. also really improved his voice this summer as a leader, but admits he still has steps to take.
“I have grown so much since my freshman year,” he said. “ But I need to be more vocal. I'm always a guy that, you know, 'Everything will be all right.' I need to call guys out more. And that just comes with maturity and just growing up and being around the game."
With his play this summer and the contact period now open for 2028 prospects, Cleaves Jr.’s recruitment has started to take off.
Below, the five-star guard discussed his recruitment including his offers, schools he’s heard from since June 15 and his relationship with Michigan and Michigan State. We also have the coaches who watched him at Peach Jam:
