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Less than a week before his summer wedding, the swingman was first approached by Maccabi Tel Aviv and they put the deal together in a matter of days
Antonius Cleveland’s basketball career has taken him around the world. After a standout college basketball career at Southeast Missouri State, he became the second player from the school ever – and first since 1962 – to play in the NBA. After parts of two seasons with Dallas and Atlanta, Cleveland found a new home in Australia.
He was selected as the Australian League’s Best Defensive Player in 2022 with the Illawarra Hawks and repeated as the winner of the league’s top defensive honor the next season with the Adelaide 36ers. Since the season in Australia finishes earlier than in most European leagues, Adelaide – which had Cleveland under contract for another season – allowed him to play for a few months in Europe.
Cleveland signed for Hapoel Eilat of the Israeli League in February 2023 and it did not take long for him to make an impact. In 11 games there, he averaged 17.6 points with excellent shooting numbers, 4.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.8 steals. He was the Israeli League playoff of the month for March 2023 and also placed first in the league’s slam dunk contest.
He played so well that his future was quickly changing.
“I knew that I probably wasn't going back to Australia,” Cleveland said of his time in Eilat. “I just didn't know like where. But I knew I would be somewhere different and better.”
Cleveland did not get the chance to play against Maccabi that season, but he was able to watch the perennial Israeli champs and learn a little about the EuroLeague.
“I didn't know anything about the EuroLeague. I would go out to eat and they would always have Maccabi’s game on,” Cleveland recalled. “I wanted to play after watching the games. I wanted to play. So just 3-4 months later I get the opportunity. It's kind of surreal and a blessing.”
When his season in Eilat ended, Cleveland returned to his offseason residence in Dallas, Texas, where he was preparing for his wedding to Monie. And then the unexpected happened.
“Maccabi came into the picture probably like a week before my wedding,” Cleveland explained. “I got married on July 28th. So Maccabi probably came in the picture around the 21st, 22nd when I first spoke on the phone with them. And it happened out of nowhere, honestly.”
Once all the details were worked, there were still some issues to deal with before Cleveland could formally sign with Maccabi.
“I was under contract to go back to Australia. So when that happens, you got to pass your physical so the buyout process can get done,” he said. “I had to fly to Tel Aviv for a day. I think I flew in like on the 23rd. And I was, I came back, I was back in Dallas like on the 25th. So it was crazy, but it was exciting at the same time.”
Fortunately, since he and Monie had been engaged for a year, most of the wedding preparations were under control. His and Monie’s mothers were in town to help and Cleveland was able to disappear for a few days without causing too much stress for anyone.
Cleveland said he really only had two roles in the wedding prep: “I just swiped the [credit] card. That's pretty much it… I think I picked the suits that I wanted my groomsmen to wear, but other than that, my wife did everything.”
It also made things easier for Cleveland that his former team was understanding of his situation, and he was able to leave with their blessing.
“My coach was the one telling me like to go, so they understand,” Cleveland said. “And the owners, one of them is a big soccer guy, so he kind of like gets it… So they were all excited for me and it's like a no-brainer, honestly.”
His Adelaide coach, CJ Bruton, had a spell playing in Israel back in 2009.
“He played against Maccabi in the playoffs that year and did pretty well,” Cleveland explained. “He pretty much knows about the EuroLeague, Maccabi Tel Aviv. So he was excited for me and we keep in touch as well. So he's following me and I'm still following them.”
Once Cleveland passed the physical, he was able to turn his attention to the wedding.
“I was happy to get over here and then get it over with and get back because this is a long trip to just turn around and just make. So I was kind of relieved the moment I got on the plane coming back.” He said.
“It was probably the happiest. I mean, I'm about to get married. I just signed... Like it just was a great weekend and I had to deal with the congrats on signing to Maccabi. It just was a lot and I was kind of overwhelmed with everything, but still grateful and thankful at the same time.”
