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NCAA Basketball: 10 most important transfer portal battles left of 2023 offseason

By Tristan Freeman

LAWRENCE, KS - JANUARY 30: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats and head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks greet each other prior to the game at Allen Fieldhouse on January 30, 2016 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KS - JANUARY 30: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats and head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks greet each other prior to the game at Allen Fieldhouse on January 30, 2016 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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NCAA Basketball Florida State Seminoles guard Matthew Cleveland Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Matthew Cleveland – Florida State Seminoles

2022-23 season stats: 13.8 ppg and 7.4 rpg

Recruiting battle: Auburn vs Missouri vs Miami

Once Harrison Ingram picked North Carolina, Cleveland became the top small forward available. He actually has played three different positions at FSU, including the small-ball four this past season. His shooting improved greatly compared to his freshman season and has real two-way potential.

This recruitment is down to just three teams for Cleveland, with varying degrees of need. Auburn was one of the first visits for the former Seminole and after Devan Cambridge picked Oregon, can focus on this prospect, unless former Texas Tech wing Jaylon Tyson becomes a more serious option.

Missouri arguably needs Cleveland the least but head coach Dennis Gates has a great history with guards/wings breaking out offensively. They’ve already added John Tonje and Tamar Bates in the backcourt but have played small-ball lineups before and since they haven’t yet landed a center, could have Cleveland play some at the four, while Kobe Brown is at the five-spot.

Miami needs the small forward the most of the three. They’ve yet to land a single transfer this offseason and have missed out on a couple of targets. With ACC Player of the Year Isaiah Wong gone as well as wing Jordan Miller, Cleveland can slide in and create a “Big 3” with the two remaining stars, Nijel Pack and Norchad Omier. If the Hurricanes can’t keep this player in the ACC, then we should start getting worried about them.

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