Warriors’ Antonius Cleveland: ‘I felt like I was an NBA player all my life’
Newly signed Warriors guard Antonius Cleveland took questions from RCP expert Isaiah De los Santos about the draft, the Summer League Blazers and his new team.
Most people didn’t know who Antonius Cleveland was coming out the draft. To be honest, neither did I.
But the Memphis native, who plays “about three times a week” with NBA legend Penny Hardaway at his local gym, will be heading to training camp for the Golden State Warriors in September.
It all started with Portland, as Cleveland got an invite to work out on June 12 for the Blazers.
"I’m very realistic with myself; I knew they wouldn’t take me in the first round, but I did know it could possibly lead to a Summer League invite or something like that."
Cleveland was exactly right. The night of the draft, he came to an agreement with Portland to play for their Summer League team.
"With this league, having the chance to get drafted, from the school I came from, my situation, it was just kind of big itself."
It was at Summer League that Cleveland admits to peeking over at Damian Lillard finishing his workouts, as he notes Jusuf Nurkić and Dame worked out “every morning” together.
(He also saw players like Allen Crabbe, Meyers Leonard and Moe Harkless, recognizing them as Portland is his go-to team on the NBA 2K video game.)
Here, he got to play with Jake Layman, who he said “helped me a lot” with learning plays Cleveland struggled with at first.
He also shared the court and huddle with Summer League First Team forward Caleb Swanigan.
"I think some of those guys go to Vegas and, you know, is just kind of nervous not knowing what to expect. But I think Caleb looked comfortable from the first game. He was like the loudest person on the court…he could be like the steal of the draft."
The guard also got a first-hand look at Zach Collins, who many Blazers fans are down on.
"If he wouldn’t have got hurt, I think he would’ve started to dominate by like the fourth, fifth game. I just think he needed time to just adjust to the pace."
It took until game three, where Cleveland went for 11 minutes, to really get a taste of the action.
With this increased playing came increased interest, as “a few teams” started contacting his agent while still in Vegas.
Then it came down to the best offer, and the guard couldn’t pass up an opportunity with Golden State.
"I’m coming in…trying to get that two-way contract, [which means] playing for Santa Cruz, and as well as the Warriors throughout the season. That’s my goal."
This will be a Warriors team that Cleveland joins with names like Steph Curry, Kevin Durant and Draymond Green. He’ll match up against them, but also work the floor on offense with them, too.
"When I’m on defense against them, I’m trying to compete. But when I’m on the sidelines, and I’m watching them do things, I mean they’ll look invincible…I know I’ll be a little shocked."
Next: Lillard's 'time' to make another All-Star game
The journey for Antonius Cleveland, which includes a growth spurt from 5’8” to 6’6” that sped up his basketball career, is only at its beginning. But he’s ready to take it on.
"I deserve it. Me as a person, this is something I wanna do. I felt like I was an NBA player all my life, then crazy things happened…I’m kind of a late bloomer, but I definitely feel I am supposed to play in the NBA."
Wherever, whenever this journey ends, he can point back to its start in Portland.
"Portland gave me the opportunity to come to Summer League, so I’m thankful for that, ’cause without that, who’s to say I would have a training camp deal."