Mateen Cleaves, former NBA player and standout at Michigan State University, was arrested for sexual assault. According to reports by WXYZ, the incident took place in September of 2015 in Flint, Michigan.
Cleaves hosted a golf tournament and met a 24-year-old woman while at the event. Afterwards, Cleaves, 39, and the woman and her boyfriend went to have drinks at the bar. The woman’s boyfriend left to drop a friend off at home and she stayed with Cleaves. The woman decided to go to the Knights Inn with Cleaves.
During their encounter at the Knights Inn, the woman alleges that Cleaves attempted to force her to have sex. A witness claims that the woman attempted to escape from a hotel room three times while wearing very little clothing, but was chased and captured by Cleaves who was naked. There are also claims that a surveillance camera captured the chase. Prosecutors said the woman was finally able to escape and was helped by another woman.
However, Cleaves’ attorney says that the woman was never held against her will during her encounter with the former basketball player. His attorney, Frank Manley, also wanted Cleaves to get his reputation back after the damaging accusations.
Cleaves made a name for himself in the late ’90s after leading Michigan State University to National Championship. He played six years in the NBA before retiring. He returned to Michigan after his NBA career and remained an important figure within the state’s basketball community. He currently hosts a basketball show on SiriusXM radio and has served as an analyst for CBS Sports Network. CBS Sports, who will begin March Madness coverage this week, has yet to reveal if Cleaves will be disciplined.
Cleaves is being charged with unlawful imprisonment, assault with intent to commit criminal sexual penetration, second-degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct. He faces 10 to 15 years in prison if convicted.
