SPARTANS BRING BACK FAN-FAVORITE  AS SENIOR ADVISOR TO THE AD IN DEPARTMENT SHAKEUP — WILL EARN REPORTED $1.2 MILLION ANNUALLY…READ MORE….

SPARTANS BRING BACK FAN-FAVORITE  AS SENIOR ADVISOR TO THE AD IN DEPARTMENT SHAKEUP — WILL EARN REPORTED $1.2 MILLION ANNUALLY…READ MORE….

In a stunning and nostalgic move that’s sending waves of excitement through East Lansing, Michigan State University has officially brought back one of its most iconic basketball figures. Mateen Cleaves, the legendary point guard who led the Spartans to the 2000 NCAA National Championship, is returning to the university in a high-level administrative role.

The university confirmed Tuesday morning that Cleaves has been named Senior Advisor to the Athletic Director as part of a broader shakeup within the athletic department. The new position, which sources report will earn Cleaves a $1.2 million annual salary, is said to focus on program development, alumni relations, and strategic planning for men’s basketball and student-athlete engagement.

Cleaves’ return is already being celebrated by fans and former teammates alike. Widely regarded as the heart and soul of the Spartans’ 2000 championship team, Cleaves’ charisma, leadership, and fierce competitiveness made him a fan-favorite during his collegiate career. His relationship with longtime head coach Tom Izzo was considered one of the most dynamic player-coach duos in the school’s history.

“I’m humbled and thrilled to come home,” Cleaves said in a statement released by the university. “Michigan State has always been in my blood. This is a full-circle moment for me — not just as a former athlete, but as someone who believes in the vision and values of this institution.”

Athletic Director Alan Haller described Cleaves’ hiring as “a bold step forward” as MSU looks to reconnect its past glory with a new era of Spartan basketball.

“Mateen brings unmatched passion, deep knowledge of the game, and a personal connection to what it means to wear the Green and White,” Haller said. “He understands what our athletes go through because he’s lived it. His voice will be powerful in shaping the future of our basketball program.”

While Cleaves has remained active in the basketball world as a broadcaster, motivational speaker, and mentor, this will be his first formal role within the MSU athletic department. He is expected to be highly visible at games, university events, and recruiting efforts.

The hiring comes amid a period of internal restructuring within Michigan State’s athletics, aimed at strengthening the department’s identity and long-term strategy. Sources close to the program say the move is also intended to build morale and bring a “family feel” back into Spartan athletics following years of leadership changes and off-court controversies.

“This is more than just a title,” one insider said. “This is about reconnecting the soul of the program with the next generation.”

Cleaves’ return couldn’t come at a more pivotal time for Michigan State basketball, which is looking to bounce back from a challenging season and reassert itself as a national powerhouse under Tom Izzo, who has been coaching the Spartans for nearly three decades.

For many fans, the move is nothing short of poetic — the heart of a championship team coming back to guide the future.

As Cleaves put it: “I never stopped being a Spartan. Now I get to serve this university in a whole new way.