As we are on the precipice of March Madness, it’s customary to revisit the tournament’s most memorable teams. In that conversation is most definitely the loaded 2000 Michigan State team– who won a National Championship with Mo Peterson, Jason Richardson, Charlie Bell, and charismatic guard Mateen Cleaves. Cleaves was awarded the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player and was then drafted by the Detroit Pistons with their 14th overall pick.
Today, the 39-year-old Cleaves has made news for assaulting a woman he met at a charity golf outing last year. How the mighty have fallen.
Via The Detroit News,
According to Worthy’s office [prosecutor], Cleaves and a group went to a local bar after the golf outing to have drinks. At 1 a.m. Sept. 15, the group left the bar. The prosecutor’s office said the woman left with Cleaves in his car, thinking they would return to the golf club.
Cleaves allegedly then took the woman to a motel located in the 2400 block of West Grand Blanc in Mundy Township and held her there against her will. He then is accused of sexually assaulting her.
The woman was able to escape from the room and received assistance from another woman in a nearby room, Worthy’s office said.
Cleaves has allegedly be charged with unlawful imprisonment, assault with intent to commit criminal sexual penetration, second-degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct.
If convicted, the National Champion could face up to 15 years in prison.
YIKES.
[h/t The Detroit News]