Hawks unveil Antonius Cleveland as final piece of puzzle

The Illawarra Hawks are pleased to announce the signing of Antonius Cleveland for the 2021/22 NBL season.

The 27-year-old Memphis native most recently suited up for the Oklahoma City Blue in the NBA G League, where in 15 appearances last season he registered 15.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.3 steals in a tick over 28 minutes of action.

Cleveland's shooting splits for the 2020/21 season were 48.3% from the field and 38% from deep, with his catch-and-shoot ability and defensive presence making him a dangerous two-way weapon.

The Southeast Missouri State graduate also has several years of experience in and around the NBA - with shorts stints at the Dallas Mavericks, Atlanta Hawks and Portland Trailblazers on his resume.

Illawarra Hawks President and Co-Owner, Dorry Kordahi, said Cleveland was the final piece of the club's free agency puzzle.

"Antonius [Cleveland] has been plying his trade in high level basketball programs for several years and he was extremely excited by the prospect of joining us in the NBL. He's a big, athletic wing and the type of player I think our fans will gravitate towards. He's exciting, he's fun, he's highly-skilled and he's ours to enjoy," Kordahi said.

Illawarra Hawks Head Coach, Brian Goorjian, said he was looking forward to working with another high-calibre player like Cleveland.

"Anyone who shoots the ball the way he does and defends with his type of purpose is a welcome presence in my locker room. He's another high-level guy with good basketball IQ, he's coming off another good season in the G League and I can't wait to see what he can do in this lineup. Hawks fans should be as excited as I am right now because the front office has put together a very, very good lineup of players," Goorjian said.

Kordahi also confirmed Cleveland's signing meant American import Justin Simon would not be returning to the club this season.   

"We were in conversations with Justin [Simon] but he has an opportunity with the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Summer League and we were determined to lock our roster down as soon as possible with a lot of uncertainty still around due to the ongoing pandemic. So we wish Justin all the best as he strives to return to the NBA. He was a great role model in his one season at the Hawks, a great player on and off the court and a great person for the Illawarra to get behind," Kordahi said. 

Cleveland joins Sam Froling, Emmett Naar, Akoldah Gak, Dan Grida, Tyler Harvey, Isaac White, AJ Ogilvy, Travis Trice, Harry Froling, Duop Reath and Lachlan Dent on the Illawarra Hawks 2021/22 roster.