In shaping the 2027 recruiting class for the Tigers, Dennis Gates has long wanted to bring in multiple ball handlers. The first target and pledge was Webster Groves, Mo product Scottie Adkinson. The 4-star combo guard committed to Mizzou even before all of the 2026 class. With Adkinson on board, Gates and the Tigers were left to suss out the rest of the recruiting board.
Once the thing spring period passed earlier this year, one target seemed to emerge above the rest of the pack: Devin Cleveland.
The Tigers offered Cleveland in May of this year, and the courtship continued through the summer and a visit in the fall. An original 7 schools fell to just three, with Mizzou facing off with TCU and Michigan for the Chicago 4-star guard. In the end, Dennis Gates pitch was the one which resonated the most. This evening, Cleveland committed to Missouri:
With Cleveland on board, it’s almost a certainty the Tigers are done with their 2027 class. At least within the fall period. A class of Adkinson, Cleveland and Cameron Barnes should push them into or near the top spot in the SEC (for now), and might push them into the top 5 in the country.
You can watch the full commitment video here:
Let’s Meet Devin Cleveland
- From: Chicago, Illinois
- High School: La Lumiere School
- Position: Combo Guard
- Ht/Wt: 6-3 / 165
- 247Composite Ranking: 0.9894 (no. 30)
- On3 Sports Ranking: 95.18 (no. 32)
- Other scholarship offers: TCU, Michigan, Alabama, Marquette
The most recent scouting report on 247sports.com, from Adam Finkelstein, has a great breakdown of the type of player Cleveland is:
Cleveland is one of the most skilled guards in the national class. He’s a natural shooter with a feathery touch who made 47% of his threes during the EYBL Scholastic season at La Lumiere. He’s also a tough shot-taker and maker, so while those percentages dipped to 30% during the grassroots season, that was more indicative of shot-selection. Ultimately, he can be too willing to settle at times, but is a constant threat to make shots with deep range, on the move, or off the dribble.
While his shooting prowess is the first domino of his attack, he’s not one-dimensional. His gravity and the constant threat of his shot open up other playmaking opportunities. He’s got naturally good hands, including a very good left, and he’s nearly ambidextrous as a passer and around the rim. There’s room for him to better weaponize his handle, but he’s crafty using fakes, footwork, varying his stride length, and able to manipulate space and angles with the ball in his hands. He’s also a deceptively good finisher who made 59% of his attempts at the rim during the EYBL season and then has a floater game just beyond that.
Physically, Cleveland is naturally lean, but has solid length (6-foot-6 wingspan), and is now just starting to build up his frame. He’s younger for his grade, and will turn 18 in March of his senior year, but continuing to add strength will unlock more playmaking potential (he has an assist rate that is consistently relatively low), allow him to pressure the rim more consistently, help him make athletic gains, and continued strides defensively. He made important gains on that end of the floor last season, but has to keep progressing.
The season still has to play out, but it’s easy to see Cleveland stepping into a pretty major role next season. Missouri’s roster might skew a little young in 2027-28, but there should be a wealth of talent.
We’ll have more in the coming days regarding the outlook on the roster with Cleveland and how he fits in. But for now, welcome to the Tigers, Devin!
