Antonius Cleveland is in this week's Southeast Missouri Alumni Spotlight presented by SoutheastHEALTH.

A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Cleveland played basketball at SEMO from 2013-17. He started 109 of 121 games and scored 1,556 points for a 12.9 points per game average in his outstanding college career. Cleveland was a First-Team All-Ohio Valley Conference selection as a senior in 2016-17 and was the first Redhawk to advance to the College Slam Dunk & 3-Point Championship.

Statistically, Cleveland left SEMO ranked among the school's top-five career leaders in points (5th, 1,556), field goals made (4th, 585), field goals attempted (4th, 1,184), free throws made (4th, 324), free throws attempted (3rd 529) and steals (2nd, 159). His 109 games started are the most of any player in program history.

Cleveland ended his SEMO career as the Redhawks leading scorer in each of his last two seasons, averaging 15.2 points per game in 2015-16 and 16.6 points per contest in 2016-17.

Dream became reality for Cleveland when he signed a two-way contract with the Dallas Mavericks on Nov. 17, 2017. Later that night, Cleveland made his NBA debut in a 111-87 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, a game which he scored two points and had two rebounds in six minutes of play.

On July 25, 2019, Cleveland re-signed with the Dallas Mavericks on a two-way contract with their G-League affiliate, the Texas Legends.

The first player in SEMO's NCAA Division I era to ever play in the NBA, Cleveland's 2019-20 professional season recently came to a close when the Mavericks suffered a 4-2 series loss to the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

Cleveland captured yet another first when he scored four points in seven minutes to become the first ever former SEMO men's basketball player to play and score in an NBA Playoff game on Aug. 25. 

At age 26, Cleveland has played in 28 NBA games, including 24 during his two seasons with the Mavericks. 

When the NBA restarted its season during the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic in Orlando, Florida, Cleveland was one of four former OVC men's basketball players on NBA rosters along with former Tennessee State forward Robert Covington (Houston), former Murray State guard Ja Morant (Memphis) and former Murray State guard Cameron Payne (Phoenix).

Although things were significantly different, Cleveland said he adapted well to the NBA's isolated bubble environment.

"We were there for 52 days and had to test every day. We had to walk to designated cafeteria areas to pick up food and then used buses to go back-and-forth to facilities for practice and games," commented Cleveland. "It was a different experience, but I enjoyed it." 

During their time in Orlando, the Dallas Mavericks stayed at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. The Grand Floridian afforded the Mavericks plenty of amenities they could take advantage of in their spare time.

"I spent a lot of time hanging out by the pool and being with my teammates," said Cleveland. "We also went fishing a lot. It was fun."  

Now, three years removed from his alma mater, Cleveland often looks back to how SEMO helped get him to where he is today.

"SEMO was an awesome experience," quoted Cleveland. "I appreciate all the opportunities this great University gave me and I always carry things with me from my time in Cape Girardeau." 

The Dallas Mavericks were 43-32 when the NBA went on its hiatus. Once the NBA resumed play, Dallas ended its season with a 7-9 record in Orlando. 

Cleveland and his girlfriend, Yamonie, reside in Dallas, Texas with their 1-year old son Ky.