Matthew Cleveland sees pieces starting to fit together with 10 new faces for Miami Hurricanes basketball team: "It's very different"
There are only three returning roster players for the Miami Hurricanes basketball team – starting G Matthew Cleveland and PG Nijel Pack along with seldom used now-sophomore G Paul Djobet.
Listening to Cleveland’s thoughts after a team workout this week, you can’t help but sense his optimism. The new-look team is built on the backs of four freshmen arrivals and six transfers. The hope is that the lackluster results of a year ago can be turned around in a hurry.
Miami, of course, is a year removed from a historic run to the Final Four but then ended last season with a 15-17 record.
“It’s very different, 10 new guys, three returners,” Cleveland said. “We are just trying to get comfortable with each other. I feel we’ve had a great summer getting to know each other, so I feel we’re leaning toward being more comfortable with each other now.”
This is a big final year for Cleveland, as he’s looking to step up and prove himself to the NBA while also working to help meld a team with a lot of new pieces into a formidable group.
The former Florida State transfer averaged 13.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 33.2 minutes per game. He’s looking for more this time around and says he’s more comfortable at his current 2/3 position instead of playing more the 4 last year.
“It’s been good just getting back to being more perimeter-oriented, using more ball screens,” Cleveland said. “I feel more comfortable playing on the wing.”
Cleveland and Pack are both former transfers, and they join new transfers that should have outsized impacts on Miami’s 2024-25 fortunes.
The transfers into the program are East Carolina F Brandon Johnson (14.0 PPG, 8.6 RPG last season), Virginia Tech 6-10 C Lynn Kidd (13.2 PPG, 6.5 RPG), Stetson G Jalen Blackman (21.3 PPG, made 110 three-pointers), Samford G AJ Staton-McCray (11.5 PPG, 4.5 rebounds), Idaho State F Kiree Huie (11.3 PPG, 5.8 rebounds, 1.2 blocks) and Yale backup F Yussif Basa-Ama.
“I am trying to help them out so the process is easier and all they have to worry about is basketball,” Cleveland said.
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He says of the newcomers that it’s Kidd and Huie who have stood out the most so far this summer.
“They are battling every day, their touch is really good and they are very competitive,” Cleveland said.
Cleveland adds that “I like to say it’s an oven, not a microwave – everyone wants things quick, but it doesn’t always work out that way. You have to stick to the process and trust the coaches.”
First-time freshmen on the roster include 5-star Jalil Bethea, who some already project as a first-round NBA pick.
“He is willing to listen, which will make him better,” Cleveland said. “(All the freshmen) are very talented, will be a big help to us.”
A final thought from Cleveland?
He says this offseason he worked most on the mental part of his game.
“Just being consistent every day in practice, me becoming more of a leader,” Cleveland said. “That’s the biggest thing for me.”
*Asked about Staton-McCray, Cleveland said, “He is a very good defender, can shoot it, is experienced, went to the tournament last year. So he brings some of that experience.”
