Michigan State’s push for 2028 point guard Mateen Cleaves Jr. already has some familiar faces behind it.
Cleaves Jr., the son of Spartan legend Mateen Cleaves, is one of the top prospects in the 2028 class. The 6-foot-4 guard, who plays at Glendale, Ariz., and has a father working as an assistant coach for the Phoenix Suns, is shaping up to be a major priority for Tom Izzo in that cycle.
That potential fit carries obvious appeal for Michigan State fans. Izzo began his run with a national title led by a Cleaves at point guard, and the idea of ending his career with another one would be the kind of full-circle ending that writes itself.
He may not have to sell the program alone, either.
At a recent Nike EYBL event in Vegas, Spartan legends Plaxico Burress and Zach Randolph were on hand to support Cleaves Jr., and he responded with 23 points, seven assists, and five boards. Mateen Sr. called his son the “nephew” of Plaxico and Randolph, who were all at Michigan State around the same time together.
apparently plaxico and zach randolph went to go check out mateen cleaves jr. in vegas and he tore it up yesterday
time to make him a spartan pic.twitter.com/UeO3JXBVxy
- Connor Meltdowney (@Connormuldowney) July 14, 2026
The scene only reinforced the kind of connections Michigan State likes to celebrate. Mateen, wearing Suns gear, Randolph, and Burress are all Spartan legends, and at least two of them are expected to be in Cleaves Jr.’s ear as the recruitment moves forward.
Mateen Sr. will have to give his son room to make his own decision, but it’s not hard to imagine he’d love to be back in East Lansing watching his son suit up for the Spartans.
It also fits the image Michigan State has long sold: a program built on family ties that stretch across sports and across eras. Mateen played at MSU through 2000 and won the national title, Randolph arrived as a freshman and one-and-done player after the 2000-01 season, and Burress finished his final football season at Michigan State in 1999.
Izzo has often said other coaches tell him they envy what Michigan State has, and moments like this make it easy to see why. Former players showing up for another former player’s son, with a former football star in the mix too, is the kind of support system that stands out.
For Michigan State, that’s the pitch. For Cleaves Jr., it’s a reminder that the Spartans are already watching closely.
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