BU recruit- 2010 Mykel Cleveland- juco PG

[Da Coach]

I have heard the coaches have all been traveling a lot recently evaluating a number of very good players they have been following closely.
One of them is a point guard from Southwestern Illinois College (Marcellus Sommerville's old juco) named Mykel Cleveland-

http://rivals.yahoo.com/jucojunction/basketball/recruiting/player-Mykel-Cleveland-103463

He is a 6'2" point guard, who is originally from Williamson High School in Mobile, Alabama, where he was a big-time scorer.
Here is what his coach recently told Jucojunction about him-
"Mykel is the little engine that could and when he goes we go. We are winning games because of Mykel," said Harrington.

Cleveland, a point guard, has received strong interest this season from Bradley University and Southern Illinois University with both schools offering scholarships. Alabama, DePaul University, Georgia and Rutgers have also shown interest in the point guard according to Harrington.

"Mykel can really set the table for the offense with his great court vision and also for his knack to create his own shot," said JucoJunction staff analyst Bret Swanson.

Cleveland is currently averaging 11 ppg, 4 rebounds and 4.7 assists this season for the Blue Storm.

By the way, Cleveland is teammates at SWIC with Torres Roundtree, the former SIU player. Roundtree is averaging 5.0 ppg.

[Big Mike]

not much new but there is a picture....

http://midstatehoops.com/v5/?p=4224

rivals.....note he list BU ....HIGH! 6'2 PG....

http://rivals.yahoo.com/jucojunction/basketball/recruiting/player-Mykel-Cleveland-103463

[KillerB]

I didn't get to go see him play, but a Saluki friend did. Here is what he told me.
Cleveland guarded an L Jones who is UCLA bound.. and did pretty well. However he does not appear to be a scorer anymore.. more of a true point guard playing hard defense and distributing the ball. SIU and Bradley appear to be the only players right now.. his coach says he is holding out for a higher bid (apparently he had some interest from bigger schools out of HS).
My friend also says he appears smaller than advertised 6' tops.. not 6'2".

[Da Coach]

I think it's likely BU will sign a guard, but it probably won't be a juco.

[thefish7]

Yeah I struggle with why we'd sign a juco guard.

[SFP]

Yeah I struggle with why we'd sign a juco guard.

Unless he was a Steve Francis like JUCO neither do I.

[tornado]

we have looked at juco guards & wing players, and several have served us well in the past...Dodie Dunson, Will Franklin, Theron Wilson, Cellus, Tony Bennett, Cello, Barney Mines...

[KillerB]

Point taken T. Of course we have also signed some jucos who have bombed TCS comes to mind. And wasn't Austin around that same time.
I guess it's hit or miss where ever you get your players from.

My preference.. at least for a point guard would be a HS player. I think it usually takes some time to learn the system.. may be more so for a guy who is expected to run the show (as opposed to a wing player). If a juco takes time and you only have them for 2 years you don't get as much benefit. If a HS player takes a year or two you still get 2-3 years of production.

That is not to say a juco can't come in an be a world beater right away. Just my preference when you are talking PG's.

[SFP]

Also, we are plenty deep with seasoned guards for next year! That's why I made my comment. We can afford to bring in a Freshmen guard have them learn the system without throwing them into action right away and be ready to contribute the next year.

[lake Camelot]

DD

We have a 6'3" guard sitting out this year that is pretty good all around. He should help.

[thefish7]

Yeah I wasn't trying to diss juco players at all-- we've had plenty of good ones. Just can't see a need for a juco guard (particularly at the point). Got SM, DSE, EM.... Even DD could probably play some point for us in a jam. If one of thos guys was leaving I'd still look for a freshman guard instead of a juco given the status of our roster. If you're talking a 3 or especially a 4 or 5 then I think a juco may well be the best route.

[BradleyBrave]

My guess is that the staff is anticipating perhaps some openings at the guard position as well as up front.

[scout4126]

Cleveland is a very tough player. Illinois is getting close to offering him a scholarship. He really impressed them at the Region 24 (southern Illinois) regional tournament. He's a great player but I don't know if he'd be a great fit with the numbers here. He'd probably be a better point guard than any of ours at this point but not so much better that I'd take him over say developing Dyricus for the year. Very good player who will have a great career whereever he goes.

[lake Camelot]

Illinois

I am not doubting your information. I think that makes no sense for Illinois though. They have guards galore. Maybe no true point for a couple years, but still.

I don't think it makes sense for us either unless 2 of our guards are leaving our team.

[scout4126]

I am not doubting your information. I think that makes no sense for Illinois though. They have guards galore. Maybe no true point for a couple years, but still.

I don't think it makes sense for us either unless 2 of our guards are leaving our team.

Illinois has been looking strongly at the junior college level for point guards. They were heavily recruiting Dodie's younger brother (even sometime after he committed to Arizona St), are still debating on whether or not to offer Cleveland, and are also very interested in former Evansville point guard Kaylon Williams. They would like a point guard who knows the system to bridge the gap between McCamey's departure and Tracy Abrams sophomore year (so he wouldn't have much pressure as a freshman and would be able to learn the system). Thus a junior college point guard seems to be the best option.

Bertrand is an option at the point spot but Paul and Richardson have yet to prove they could effectively be point guards. It would also take away from their ability to score the basketball.