Mike Boynton’s first move as Michigan’s head coach was offering Michigan State’s No. 1 target

It’s only been a few days since Michigan removed the interim tag from head basketball coach Mike Boynton Jr. and he‘s already doing a little trolling of Michigan State.

The first order of business for the newly-permanent head coach of the Wolverines was to offer Michigan State’s No. 1 recruiting target in the 2028 class and the son of a Spartan basketball legend.

Mateen Cleaves Jr. is the son of Michigan State national champion and legend Mateen Cleaves and he’s been at the top of Tom Izzo’s list pretty much since he entered the high school ranks. He’s been on Izzo’s radar since he was younger just because of that familiarity with Michigan State but he’s going to keep his options open as one of the top recruits in the 2028 class.

Chances are that Michigan State is the clear favorite to land him, but that didn’t stop Michigan from extending what feels like a Hail Mary of an offer.

The scholarship announcement on Instagram by Cleaves Jr. was met with some Michigan players posting memes and Spartans like Jeremy Fears Jr. and Malik Hall laughing at the idea of him donning the maize and blue just based on who his father is.

Mateen is arguably the best point guard to ever suit up for Izzo and he was so loved by the Hall of Fame head coach that Tom gave his son, Steven, the middle name “Mateen”.

I can’t see someone with the last name “Cleaves” playing for Michigan, especially considering the coaching situation in Ann Arbor. Boynton is a well-liked players coach but it’s unlikely that he sticks around past the two years that he’s signed and acts more as a bridging-the-gap coach unless he sees some surprising success.

Mateen Jr. may have to hit Boynton with the “thanks but no thanks, coach”.

Michigan State is going to have competition for Mateen Cleaves Jr.

Although I don’t see Cleaves Jr. committing to Michigan, I know the Wolverines aren’t just going to roll over and let Michigan State land the top-40 recruit without a fight.

Michigan’s not the only elite program that’s going to be pursuing Cleaves Jr., though.

Right now, 247Sports has just three offers listed for the elite point guard who’s currently playing his prep ball in Arizona but that’s sure to multiply in the near future. He’s been offered by the Spartans, Rutgers, and now Michigan and it’s only a matter of time before some blue bloods get involved.

Michigan may not be likely but you can’t really count out a top-tier basketball program completely, especially after they just won the national title and have a guy like Trey McKenney on the roster who Cleaves Jr. is familiar with. Boynton is fighting an uphill battle, but I honestly respect the trolling.

This is like if Michigan State hired a new basketball coach after Izzo and his first scholarship offer was to the son of a Michigan legend like Chris Webber or Juwan Howard.

Let’s just hope Cleaves Jr. bleeds green like his dad.

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