NCAA Basketball: Analyzing 2021 wing Matthew Cleveland’s final 5 schools
By Ian Mumm
Stanford Cardinal
Stanford has seen significant success in recruiting top players in the last several seasons and seems to be gaining more momentum in upcoming classes. The program has signed at least 1 top-100 in each class since 2016 and managed to pull a huge signing with 5-star Ziaire Williams. While Williams has the on-court potential to be a one-and-done player, more talent is on the way to rebuild and sustain the program. The Cardinal has already received the commitment of 4-star guard Isa Silva and is heavily involved with 5-star Harrison Ingram and 4-star Langston Love.
As is the expectation for Williams next season, and proven by past successful wings like KZ Okpala, primary scoring options are given a ton of freedom to produce in the Stanford program. The addition of Cleveland to the Cardinal would instantly propel him into a top-2 offensive role with the team. As a strong shooter and downhill player, he can make a lot of positive plays, and second chances come to fruition for Coach Jerod Haase.
The benefits for Cleveland, outside of instantly being given the keys to the team, will be playing alongside a guard of Silva’s talents. In addition to his own scoring prowess, Silva is a long point guard with exceptional court vision and creativity. He gets in the teeth of the defense and will open up more space for shooters on the perimeter to make plays.
Stanford’s depth has not been exceptional over the last several seasons, but Cleveland’s productivity on the glass and in the scoring column will help to knock out 2 birds with 1 stone. The combination of Cleveland and Silva is already a nice base for Stanford to enter 2021 with, but the pair will assuredly draw in more talent to the program and boost the prospects of this team’s on-court performances.