Michigan wasted no time making a statement under new head coach Mike Boynton Jr., and the latest move on the recruiting trail comes with a built-in rivalry twist.
On Sunday afternoon, Boynton and the Wolverines offered a scholarship to 2028 four-star point guard Mateen Cleaves Jr., the son of former Michigan State star Mateen Cleaves. The elder Cleaves was an All-American and helped lead Tom Izzo’s Spartans to the 2000 national title, becoming one of the defining figures of Michigan State’s modern basketball run.
The younger Cleaves, originally from Orchard Lake, Michigan, now plays for Dream City Christian in Arizona. He checks in at No. 7 among point guards and No. 33 overall in the Rivals Industry Rankings.
247Sports’ Dushawn London wrote about Cleaves in February and described what stands out about his game:
Cleaves has our attention from his play last summer and being one of the top prospects at Flyin to the Hoop. At 6-foot-4, Cleaves is a strong bodied guard who plays with toughness, can shoot in the mid range and from deep, and a shot creator who can get hot in a hurry. Cleaves is a prospect to monitor in the class of 2028.
Michigan is not alone in the chase. Cleaves also holds Division I offers from Michigan State, USC, Georgetown, Houston and Rutgers, and that makes this one especially intriguing. With the Spartans already in the mix, this could become one of the more compelling in-state recruiting battles in the 2028 class.
The family connection only adds more heat to it. A Michigan native with ties to East Lansing choosing the Wolverines over Michigan State would be a major recruiting win, and one that would resonate loudly in the rivalry.
The timing matters too. Boynton has officially been on the job full-time for two days, and he’s already attacking the recruiting board with purpose. Going after one of the best players in the class, especially one with local roots and a recognizable name, says plenty about the direction he wants the program to take in Ann Arbor.
Michigan still has a long way to go in this recruitment, and Michigan State is likely the team to beat. But Boynton’s first big swing in the class of 2028 makes the message clear: he’s not just thinking about the roster in front of him. He’s building for what comes next.
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