Mat Ishbia continues to turn the Phoenix Suns into Michigan State West. The Suns announced on Friday that they have officially hired former NBA guard Mateen Cleaves.

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

LAS VEGAS – The Phoenix Suns will continue the Michigan State connection with the addition of Mateen Cleaves as a player-development coach. Cleaves was at Phoenix’s practice on July 10 in Las Vegas, prior to the Suns opening NBA Summer League action on July 11 against the Washington Wizards at Thomas & Mack Center.

Mat Ishbia will be the team’s governor, Justin the alternate governor. Suns coach Monty Williams said he didn’t want to comment until the move is official. 3.

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.