Mateen Cleaves, Michigan State


Mateen Cleaves
School: Michigan State	Class: Senior
Height: 6'1"	Weight: 195
Position: Point Guard

Stats (Provided by JazzyJ)


                  G  MIN  FG  FGA  3P 3PA  FT FTA  REB  PF AST  TO BLK STL  PTS
96-97 Mich St    29  750 111  277  18  76  57  79   73  61 146 117   4  17  297
97-98 Mich St    30 1005 161  403  51 152 111 158   75  80 217 117   6  73  484
98-99 Mich St    38 1185 159  392  42 144  85 108   62  76 274 141   2  69  445
99-00 Mich St    26  820 109  259  32  85  65  86   46  57 179  95   4  36  315
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TOTALS          123 3760 540 1331 143 457 318 431  256 274 816 470  16 195 1541


                  MIN   FG%   3P%   FT%  RPG  APG  TPG  BPG  SPG   PPG
96-97 Mich St    25.9  40.1  23.7  72.2  2.5  5.0  4.0  0.1  0.6  10.2
97-98 Mich St    33.5  40.0  33.6  70.3  2.5  7.2  3.9  0.2  2.4  16.1
98-99 Mich St    31.2  40.6  29.2  78.7  1.6  7.2  3.7  0.1  1.8  11.7
99-00 Mich St    31.5  42.1  37.6  75.6  1.8  6.9  3.7  0.2  1.4  12.1
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TOTALS           30.6  40.6  31.3  73.8  2.1  6.6  3.8  0.1  1.6  12.5

Scouting Reports

I think he was a bit overrated as a college player. His numbers don't say "concensus All American." He's a guy who doesn't do any one thing awfully well, although he got a great deal of credit for his leadership ability. His intangibles won't get him as far in the NBA and I think a lot of guards will blow past him. I suspect he'll be a solid backup PG, and those intangibles could keep him employed for a long time.

Scout: Kenneth Bowers

Mateen Cleaves is the best point guard in the nba 2000 draft and definatley should be taken over the likes of eric barkley or a kenyon dooling. One thing that Cleaves has going for him is his leadership and attitude. He is a consumate floor general. He can LEAD a team which is the point guards job on the floor. There once was another point guard who came from the state of Michigan. He didn't score that much, sure he could pass, but he was slow. But he was a leader, a true floor general who lead his team to the national championship as well. His name... Magic Johnson. One thing stands out for Cleaves over all the other PG's in the draft... A national championship banner. Winning says it all!!

Scout: woodfamily3@home.com

First off Mateen is the best point guard in the draft. I would like to dispel a nagging myth about Cleaves - that he can't shoot.

99-2000 season stats:  
Player - Shooting % - 3-point % - Assists 
Mateen - 42.1 - 37.6 - 6.9 
Barkley - 39.8 - 31.3 - 4.5 
Dooling - 38.9 - 34.7 - 3.6 
Crawford - 41.5 - 32.7 - 4.4 
Penn - 38.6 - 36.9 - 4.3

Claxton had good stats but he played against mostly inferior competition at Hofstra. Plus he is only 5'10".

AJ Guyton can obviously shoot the ball BUT HE IS NOT A POINT GUARD!

As you can see Cleaves statistically outplayed the other legitimate point guards in this year's draft. But besides that, I watched him all season and there is no quatitative value that you can place on a player's leadership. Believe me when I tell you that this guy is a flat out winner and he raises the level of play for all the players on his team. His shooting is ugly, but effective. He also is not afraid to take and nail the crucial shot when needed.

In addition to that, he is very strong and will not get pushed around by bigger guards. He is an excellent defender, ball handler and passer. He is the complete package and these other children in the draft couldn't hold his jock strap. He is a proven, seasoned player who is ready to take on the next level of competition - unlike all these skinny kids with "upside".

Scout: Morgan Moalleman