Cleaves closing out memorable career
By Andy Katz
ESPN.com
INDIANAPOLIS -- The easy thing to do was to start questioning Mateen Cleaves' NBA potential.
Michigan State's senior point guard had just missed six of seven shots, had one assist and four turnovers in the top-seeded Spartans' victory over Wisconsin on Saturday in the Final Four.
|  | | Mateen Cleaves will close out his college career in the national title game Monday. |
Cleaves' offense was awful at times, simply off at others, but he got to the line enough (9-for-11) to save his individual numbers from looking too bad. And in the end, the Spartans still won -- again -- in the NCAA Tournament.
So, why the fuss about whether he's a first-round pick or not? Why not celebrate Cleaves as one of the best winners the past four years in college basketball?
That's what should be praised Monday night, regardless of whether or not Michigan State beats Florida in the national championship game. Cleaves will be
on his final collegiate stage and, because he's an unknown at the next level, it could be his finest two hours.
"It's tough knowing this is my last game wearing a Michigan State jersey," Cleaves said. "I'm going to have to hang it up regardless after this game.
It's been a special situation. This is my last game, so I want to make it special."
Cleaves said he never really thought about leaving school early for the NBA, and in reality, he didn't have a choice. He returned because he knew his game wasn't up to the NBA level yet and because he felt he could lead the Spartans to the national title.
"It's a business in the pros, but I like the college atmosphere," Cleaves said. "We're not kids, but we're like kids. That's the reason I came back. I wasn't ready for the lifestyle."
Cleaves' comments are refreshing this week after a number of underclassmen have declared for the NBA draft. A few did so because they can legitimately
claim to be lottery picks, while a couple of others simply didn't want to be in school any longer.
During the Student Basketball Congress' news conference Saturday, Stanford senior Mark Madsen said his mission with the organization was to make
student-athletes want to be in college. Bringing back the fun in the game was his charge.
Cleaves is proof that players can enjoy college, get the most out of each season and leave knowing they achieved something. Cleaves might not get drafted that
high, and maybe he won't stick on an NBA roster very long. But he has ensured a tremendous legacy at Michigan State.
His life in the public eye started with a car accident on a recruiting visit to Michigan, an event he said that didn't necessarily push him to choose Michigan State. His
senior season ended with a full recovery from a broken foot and a trip to the national title game. In between, he won three Big Ten titles, two Big
Ten tournament championships, made it to two Final Fours and earned Big Ten player-of-the-year honors in 1998 and '99.
That's enough to load up a trophy case filled with Spartan memories, with or without a national title Monday. There doesn't have to be an NBA
uniform in there to make his basketball career complete.
"I've thought about playing in the national championship my whole career," Cleaves said. "There's always been a next year. But this is it. I want to
make the last game special and always be remembered for national championship."
Cleaves entered college trying to be a modern-day version of Magic Johnson from the Lakers' Showtime era. He leaves hoping to run up and down the court in a wide-open game against Florida, after a grinding, mentally draining semifinal against Wisconsin. But the constant throughout the four years has been his hunger.
That's what he wants to pass on to incoming freshman Marcus Taylor, who will take over the point-guard reins. He's demanding that Taylor work hard, be persistent and ensure Michigan State stays a national power.
"I've always sensed an urgency with Mateen," Michigan State junior forward Andre Hutson said. "He takes everything seriously and wants the best out of
each day. He wants to get the best out of himself."
If that means Cleaves' shining moment is in a Michigan State uniform Monday night and not in a NBA arena in the immediate future, then so be it. There's
nothing wrong with being a winning college player.
Andy Katz is a senior writer at ESPN.com.
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