Texas Basketball: 3 must-get portal targets for Horns early this offseason

Matthew Cleveland, SF

The last inclusion on this list has an asterisk next to his name as I don’t know if Texas has actually made contact yet, or even the staff even plans to reach out at all.

What I do know, though, is the type of impact that a high-level wing such as the former Florida State Seminoles sophomore 6-foot-7 and 200-pound small forward Matthew Cleveland is something Texas needs in its rotation. The 2021-22 ACC Sixth Man of the Year was an effective two-way wing for the Seminoles in the last two seasons.

At the moment, the projected starter at the three for the Longhorns next season is probably the returning super-senior forward Brock Cunningham. While I do like the experience and grit that Cunningham brings to the program for another year, I don’t think he’s the answer for Texas as a starting wing next season.

So, what would Cleveland specifically bring to the table that Texas both needs and doesn’t have on the projected roster for next season as it stands at this moment?

First off, Cleveland brings excellent length, rebounding prowess, and a versatile scoring touch. Cleveland’s 6-foot-7 height and lengthy wingspan give him the ability to rise up above opposing defenders to create high-percentage shots. At the same time, his length and vertical ability allow him to be effective on the glass on both ends of the floor.

Cleveland averaged around 7.5 rebounds per game last season along with a 13.3 total rebounding percentage, both of which were good to rank in the top four in the ACC among players at his position.

And in terms of the scoring punch that Cleveland brings to the table, he’s got good range and he can create his own shot. Cleveland was one of the better tough shot makers among wings in the ACC last season, as he ranked around the 70th percentile in terms of points per possession on guarded field goal attempts.

The ability to finish through contact and slash his way to the rim makes Cleveland a really tough guard for most opposing defenders at positions between the one and the four.

The box score stats also do a nice job of illustrating the offensive production and shooting efficiency that Cleveland brought to the table for Florida State in the season that was. Last season, Cleveland averaged a career-best 14 points per game last season while shooting an efficient 45 percent from the field and 35 percent from deep.

On the defensive end, Cleveland’s length allows him to be very disruptive in one-on-one matchups as he averaged around one steal and one block per game last season. He can block shots and get his long arms in the passing lane to disrupt shot and pass attempts from the opposing ball handler.

Last but not least, Cleveland is still a rapidly improving wing that has NBA potential in the future. He was one of Florida State’s most improved players year-over-year in the last couple of seasons. In fact, Cleveland was able to make the jump from a sixth man to a starting wing that was in the starting five in all 30 games he played for the Seminoles last season.

If Terry and the Longhorns could continue to improve his game on both ends of the floor, it looks like the sky is the limit for Cleveland at his next stop.