Mateen Cleaves Under Investigation in Sexual Assault Case: Details, Reaction

Former Michigan State Spartans basketball star and first-round NBA draft pick Mateen Cleaves is under investigation in a sexual assault case, according to the Detroit News' Tony Paul and George Hunter.

Continue for updates. 

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Cleaves' Attorney Comments on Investigation 

Monday, Oct. 26

“I’m very disturbed that this information was prematurely presented to the public and I would ask that everybody reserve any judgment on Mateen Cleaves until all the facts are presented,” said Cleaves' attorney, Frank J. Manley, via Robin Erb, Elisha Anderson and Daniel Bethencourt of the Detroit Free Pass.  

While the exact nature of the investigation hasn't been disclosed, Manley expects a “positive resolution” according to the report. 

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Details Yet to Emerge on Investigation Into Cleaves

Saturday, Oct. 24

MLive.com's Gary Ridley reported the case has been moved from Genesee County to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office in Michigan after David Leyton, a Genesee County prosecutor, recused himself because of a conflict of interest.

Cleaves' legal representation addressed the investigation Saturday, but circumstances surrounding the case have not been disclosed.

"It is unfortunate that this complaint was made public," wrote Manley in a text message to the Detroit News, per Paul and Hunter. "We would ask that opinions be reserved until all the facts are disclosed."

A native of Flint, Michigan, Cleaves emerged as a standout at Michigan State under head coach Tom Izzo. Not only was Cleaves a two-time Big Ten Player of the Year and three-time consensus All-American, but he also helped lead the Spartans to their last national championship in 2000.

Cleaves' hometown Detroit Pistons then selected him with the 14th overall pick in the 2000 NBA draft, but he lasted just one season with the franchise before the Pistons dealt him to the Sacramento Kings.