Matthew Cleveland, who earned his first career double double in Florida State’s victory over NC State on Saturday, was named the ACC Freshman of the Week by the conference office. It’s the first time in his career that he has earned the honor, and is the first time this season a Seminole has been honored as a weekly All-Star by the conference office.
Cleveland (Atlanta, Ga.), who enters Tuesday’s game against Wake Forest averaging 9.6 points scored per games, earned his first career double double of 13 points and 10 rebounds in Florida State’s 83-81 win over NC State on Saturday. He pushed himself to the double double with three points in the final 11 seconds and two offensive rebounds in the final 18 seconds of the Seminoles’ victory. Cleveland totaled nine points, seven rebounds, one steal and one blocked shot in the second half of the Seminoles’ victory over the Wolfpack.
Cleveland shot 5 of 10 from the field and made three second half free throws against the Wolfpack. All three of his made free throws came in the final 11 seconds of the game to help Florida State go from a 1-point lead to an insurmountable 4-point lead with 4 seconds left to play in the win. In the final 18 seconds of the Seminoles victory, he drew two fouls, totaled two offensive rebounds and made three of four free throws.
Cleveland has scored in double figures five times with his season-high of 17 coming in the Seminoles’ 81-80 win over Boston University – in a game during which he scored the game-winning basket with 2.1 seconds remaining in overtime. Cleveland is the ACC leader in scoring (9.6 ppg) amongst all players who have not started a game this season
Florida State plays at Wake Forest on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. The game will be televised by Bally Sports including Bally Sports Sun in Tallahassee.