Redhawks in the NBA

Antonius Cleveland became the first player from Southeast Missouri signed to a NBA roster since the NBA/ABA merger in 1976.

Cleveland, who was at SEMO for four years from 2013-17, played with the Santa Cruz Warriors (2017, 2018-19), Dallas Mavericks and Texas Legends (2017, 201920), Atlanta Hawks (2018) and Oklahoma City Blue (2021) during his NBA/NBA G-League career.

He currently plays for Australia’s Illawarra Hawks of the National Basketball League.

After going undrafted in the 2017 NBA Draft, Cleveland signed with the Portland Trail Blazers and joined the team for its 2017 NBA Summer League. He averaged 5.8 points per game in six games off the bench for the Trail Blazers. On July 27, 2017, Cleveland signed with the Golden State Warriors on a training camp deal. He was later waived by the Warriors on September 30 and was then assigned to the Santa Cruz Warriors NBA G League affiliate on October 24, 2017. Cleveland next signed a two-way contract with the Dallas Mavericks on November 17, 2017. He made his NBA debut later that night in a 111-87 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Cleveland had two points and two rebounds in six minutes against Minnesota. He split his playing time between the Mavericks and their G League affiliate, the Texas Legends. On December 18, 2017, Cleveland was injured in a 97-91 loss to the Phoenix Suns and was waived from the team a day later.

The Atlanta Hawks then signed Cleveland to a 10-day contract on February 22, 2018. He signed a second 10-day contract with Atlanta on March 4, 2018. On March 14, 2018, the Hawks signed Cleveland to a multi-year contract. A week later, he was placed on waivers by Atlanta on July 21, 2018.

Cleveland appeared in four games and averaged 3.3 points and one rebound in 10.5 minutes per game for the Hawks.

On July 23, 2018 the Chicago Bulls claimed Cleveland off waivers. The Bulls waived Cleveland on October 13, 2018. Cleveland re-signed with the Dallas Mavericks on a two-way contract with the Texas Legends on July 25, 2019. He played in a total of 28 NBA games between his time with Dallas (24) and Atlanta (4).

Cleveland became the first SEMO player to play and score in a playoff game when he netted four points vs. the Los Angeles Cippers on Aug. 25, 2020.

Nino Johnson played with the Memphis Hustle, NBA G-League affiliate of the Memphis Grizzlies. Johnson is expected to report to the Salt Lake City Stars (G-League affiliate of the Utah Jazz) to begin the 2021-22 campaign.

Tyler Stone (France), Skyler Hogan (Argentina), Milos Vranes (Mladost in Bosnia and Herzegovina), Quatarrius Wilson (wiha Panthers Schwennigen in German ProA) and Eli Sample (Oaxaca Sharks in Mexican CIPROBACO) are other former Redhawks who play pro basketball.

Year Round Pick Player 1963 10 75 Carl Ritter Team St. Louis Hawks

Pos. G 1979 4 71 Larry Rogers* New York Knicks F 1986 7 149 Ronnie Rankin Sacramento Kings G

* - Played one season at Southeast Missouri in 1974-75

Draft Year 1961 2017 Player Rich Eichhorst Antonius Cleveland Team(s) St. Louis Hawks Atlanta Hawks Dallas Mavericks Pos. G G