The bond of the Michigan State Spartan family is once again well represented as former college basketball legend Mateen Cleaves was recently hired as a player d

The Phoenix Suns have hired former Michigan State national champion basketball player Mateen Cleaves as a player development coach, according to John Gambadoro, a radio host for 98.7 FM in Phoenix. It marks Cleaves’ first NBA experience since his retirement from the league in 2006.

According to John Gambadoro, a longtime radio host from the state of Arizona, is reporting that former Michigan State point guard and national champion Mateen Cleaves will be joining the Suns in a player development role.

The Suns have been at the end of several jokes because of all the ties to Michigan State within the organization. In addition to Ishbia and Gregory, new head coach Jordan Ott received his master's degree from Michigan State and was on Tom Izzo's staff as a video coordinator from 2008-13.

Mat Ishbia: GSEs acting ‘private’ in conservatorship could be best of both worlds . Jun 02, 2025 By Flávia Furlan Nunes. UWM will offer 5/1 ARMs for FHA and VA loans .

Ishbia, who graduated from MSU in 2003, recalled his commencement speaker was-Gov. Jennifer Granholm who spoke about public service and what graduates could do to help Michigan and the nation.

Justin Ishbia, right, brother of Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia, and his wife Kristen Ishbia, left, sit courtside during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Saturday ...

With the No. 10 pick, the Suns used it to bolster their frontcourt and selected Duke center Khaman Maluach. After being drafted by the Suns, Maluach shared an exchange he had with star guard Devin Booker the year before at the Olympics.