NCAA Basketball: Analyzing 2021 wing Matthew Cleveland’s final 5 schools

Michigan Wolverines

Juwan Howard is in on yet another top prospect and is proving to be a very attractive draw for players on the recruiting trail. The Fab Five star is creating strong connections with recruits, but he is cutting his timing close. As was the case with 5-star center Chet Holmgren, Howard offered Cleveland within a day of cutting his list. Almost missing the party altogether, this offer figures to be very important to the future success of the Wolverines.

Michigan is still in contention for top guards Jalen Warley and Jaden Hardy, but proven scoring options are going to be hard to come by on the projected 2021 roster. Incoming 2020 signees Zeb Jackson, Terrance Williams, and Hunter Dickinson will form a young core, along with Brandon Johns. Cleveland has the scoring chops to significantly boost the roster in a tough conference, like the Big Ten, and elevate the play of his teammates. Although he’s not the biggest facilitator at this point in his development, this aspect of his game would likely become more prominent.

Pairing up with a physical guard like Warley and speedy one like incoming freshman Zeb Jackson could help Cleveland to be more successful in a Wolverine uniform. Warley and Jackson are very strong in setting up teammates and drawing in defenders to open a lot of shooting opportunities. Cleveland would be a strong perimeter threat for Howard in this trio and could rely on Dickinson and Williams to crash the glass for second chance possessions.

Michigan is also under consideration for 5-star wing Harrison Ingram. The collective grouping of Warley, Cleveland, and Ingram would form a daunting trio for college basketball teams to face and could afford Howard an opportunity to play small ball with his best players. Even if Ingram decides not to join the program, Cleveland has plenty of assets to help elevate the Wolverines into contention.